Judge Halts National Guard Deployment to Memphis, Keeps Appeal Option Open

A Tennessee judge ruled Nov. 17 that the state’s deployment of National Guard troops to Memphis is unlawful and issued a temporary block, but gave the state a five-day window to appeal before it takes effect.

Chancellor Patricia Head Moskal of the Davidson County Chancery Court issued a temporary injunction following a lawsuit filed by Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris and state lawmakers, alleging that the National Guard deployment to Memphis is illegal under Tennessee law.

Moskal ruled that Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee lacked authority to send troops to Memphis, noting that the governor can only do so in cases of “rebellion or invasion” or if the General Assembly deemed it necessary for public safety.

In a 37-page ruling, Moskal said there was no evidence that the criminal activity in Memphis rises to the level of a “grave emergency” or “disaster,” under which the governor would have authority to send troops.

The injunction will temporarily block the governor from continuing with the National Guard deployment in Memphis, but the judge said it will be stayed for five business days to give the state a chance to appeal.

The governor’s office did not respond to a request for comment by publication time.

Harris said in a Nov.18 post on X that he is pleased with the judge’s decision to block the National Guard deployment to Memphis, even though it will not kick in right away.

“The injunction does not take effect immediately, and the state has a chance to seek leave to appeal. However, this is a positive step toward ensuring the rule of law applies to everyone, including everyday Tennesseans and even the Governor,” the mayor said.

The National Guard deployment to Memphis followed President Donald Trump’s Sept. 15 directive titled “Restoring Law and Order in Memphis,” which created a Memphis Safe Task Force to assist with policing in the city. State lawmakers did not name the Trump administration as a defendant in their lawsuit.

The suit, filed on Oct. 17, contended that Lee deployed the troops despite receiving no request from Memphis or Shelby County officials and without approval from the state’s General Assembly.

Lee has said that he supported establishing a task force to target violent offenders in the city.

Trump’s executive order states that Memphis was grappling with “tremendous levels of violent crime that have overwhelmed its local government’s ability to respond effectively.”

Memphis crime rates for assaults, carjackings, and homicides have been substantial in recent years, according to the Crime Commission’s statistics.

Compared to overall county rates, the city saw significantly higher instances of murders, domestic violence, robberies, and aggravated assaults during the first six months of 2025.

Savannah Hulsey Pointer contributed to this report.