Tennessee judge blocks deployment of National Guard in Memphis : NPR

MEMPHIS, Tennessee. On Monday evening, a Tennessee judge blocked the use of National Guard in Memphis as part of President Donald Trump's anti-crime operation, but also suspended enforcement of the order, giving the government five days to appeal.

Davidson County Chancellor Patricia Moskal's decision sided with Democratic state and local officials who sued, arguing that Republican Gov. Bill Lee cannot deploy the Tennessee National Guard to quell civil unrest unless there is an insurrection or invasion, and even then it would require action by state lawmakers.

The plaintiffs also said another provision would require local governments to request the use of security guards in certain scenarios, including “disturbances of law and order,” they said.

The state said Tennessee law gives the governor “the authority to direct security when necessary and to determine when such a need exists.”

In a statement published on X, Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris, a plaintiff in the case, said he was pleased with the decision. “The injunction will not go into effect immediately and the state has a chance to appeal,” he wrote. “However, this is a positive step toward ensuring the rule of law for everyone, including everyday Tennesseans and even the governor.”

Since their arrival on Oct. 10, the troops have been patrolling Memphis neighborhoods and commercial areas, including near the iconic downtown pyramid, wearing uniforms and protective vests marked “military police” and carrying guns in holsters. Officials said Guard members do not have arrest powers.

Security Guard is part of a task force created by order of Trump. It also involves numerous other law enforcement agencies whose officers have been patrolling the city for weeks.

For years, Memphis has faced violent crime, including assaults, car thefts and murders. While this year's statistics show improvements in several categories, including homicide, many acknowledge that violence remains a problem.

In September, Trump announced that the National Guard would be deployed to fight crime in Memphis, along with authorities from multiple federal agencies as part of the so-called Memphis Security Task Force. The task force, which includes hundreds of members of various federal and state law enforcement agencies, as well as the Memphis Police, conducted more than 2,500 arrests since he started working in Memphis.

The arrests were made on charges ranging from drug and weapons offenses to immigration warrants and murder.

Lee said the National Guard will “play a critical supporting role” to local law enforcement.

Memphis Mayor Paul Young, a Democrat, said he never asked the Guard to come to his city. But after Trump made the announcement and Lee agreed, Young, who is not involved in the lawsuit, and others said they want the task force to focus on targeting violent criminals.

Young said about 150 Guard members are involved in the operations.

Both the plaintiffs and the state acknowledged that the governor did not order the deployment but issued a press release.

Lee said that “as Commander-in-Chief, Governor Lee has the authority to authorize the strategic mission to Memphis under Title 32.”

“Every Memphis resident deserves to feel safe in their community, and through state, local and federal partnerships, the Memphis Safety Task Force has created a generational opportunity that is already producing remarkable results to improve public safety,” Lee spokeswoman Elizabeth Lane Johnson said after filing the lawsuit. “We are confident that the court will uphold the governor’s constitutional authority.”