(The Center Square) – A Tennessee judge has issued a temporary injunction barring Gov. Bill Lee, from “taking further action” in Memphis where state National Guard troops have been deployed since Oct. 10 as part of President Donald Trump’s crime crackdown.
Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris along with other city and state elected officials sued the governor on Nov. 3 in Davidson County Chancery Court seeking a restraining order under Tennessee law against Lee on the deployment.
Chancery Court Judge Patricia Moskal on Monday granted the temporary injunction.
“The power committed to the governor as commander-in-chief of the Army and militia is not unfettered,” the judge wrote. “The governor may only call the militia into service in case of rebellion or invasion and only with the General Assembly’s declaration that the public safety requires it.”
In court documents, the governor’s office said it deployed the National Guard because of “unbridled criminal activity” that threatens public safety.
The Shelby County mayor, however, told the court that the deployment is overburdening the court system and jail, interfering with his ability to perform his duties and creating “public fear and insecurity.”
On Sept. 15, Lee met with Trump at the White House for the signing of a presidential memorandum establishing the Memphis Safe Task Force, a joint federal-state crime crackdown.
The Center Square was unsuccessful prior to publication getting comment from Lee or the attorney general’s office.
“Memphis is a remarkable community with great cultural significance that includes top global business and strong faith leaders, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to move this city forward,” Lee said in a release. “We’ve made significant investments to address crime throughout my seven years in office, and thanks to President Trump’s leadership, the Memphis Safe Task Force will ensure we have every resource at our disposal to create significant change.”
In his release, Lee said the president requested National Guard deployment in Memphis.
However, Moskal in her ruling Monday questions that, citing the “absence of any clear documentary record” of any request for National Guard deployment by Trump.
