• A Tennessee judge has blocked the deployment of National Guard troops to Memphis.
• The ruling states Governor Bill Lee exceeded his authority under state law.
• The decision allows for a five-day appeal by state officials.
• Local officials claim the deployment is unlawful without a "grave emergency."
• The lawsuit was driven by a coalition of state and local leaders seeking to uphold constitutional law.

A Tennessee state court judge has temporarily blocked the deployment of National Guard troops to Memphis, citing that Governor Bill Lee exceeded his authority. Chancellor Patricia Head Moskal of the Davidson County Chancery Court ruled that the deployment did not adhere to the state’s militia law, which requires a declaration of rebellion or invasion by the General Assembly for the use of troops, unless in extreme cases. Her order bars the governor from proceeding with the activation until further court proceedings, according to Reuters.

The court's decision comes after the National Guard began patrolling in Memphis as part of a federal task force aimed at combating crime in a city known for its high violent crime rates. Officials stated that the Guard's deployment was ordered following a request from President Donald Trump. However, local authorities, including Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris, claimed the governor cannot deploy the Guard without approval from local governments, according to statements made after the ruling NPR and ABC News.

The outcome of this legal battle reflects ongoing tensions regarding military deployment for law enforcement purposes under the Trump administration, especially in cities led by Democratic officials. The judge's ruling allows for a five-day period for the state to appeal, indicating potential further legal challenges ahead. Meanwhile, non-military components of the federal task force remain active in the region, focusing on crime enforcement, as highlighted by various local and state leaders who involved themselves in the litigation AA and ABC News.