A court has denied a temporary restraining order sought by Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris to halt the deployment of Tennessee National Guard troops into Memphis. Davidson County Chancellor Patricia Head Moskal ruled that plaintiffs failed to prove an “immediate and irreparable injury” would occur before a full hearing, according to reports. A temporary injunction hearing is set for November 3.
The lawsuit, filed on October 17 in Davidson County Chancery Court, claims Governor Lee’s deployment of troops violates state law and the Tennessee Constitution. While the restraining order was denied, the court scheduled a temporary injunction hearing for Monday, November 3 at 1:30 p.m. in Nashville.
President Trump previously announced plans to deploy National Guard forces to Memphis, stating, “We’re going to Memphis. Memphis is deeply troubled.” A spokesperson for the Tennessee Governor’s Office emphasized that the National Guard operates under state authority, asserting Gov. Lee’s constitutional power to authorize the deployment.
Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris expressed concerns about the militarization of Memphis during a press conference, calling for resources rather than military presence. He reiterated worries about racial profiling in the Hispanic community and urged Governor Lee to address the issue. Memphis City Council member J.B. Smiley Jr. criticized the court’s decision as technical, predicting a broader legal battle on November 3.