Image Credit: Tennessee National Guard / Facebook
The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
New movement on the case brought by Democrat elected officials protesting the National Guard’s deployment as part of the Memphis Safe Task Force (MSTF) was issued last Thursday which will allow the Guard to remain in the city well into the new year as the case progresses.
On Thursday, Dec. 18, the Tennessee Court of Appeals agreed to hear the case regarding the legality of the Guard’s deployment.
“Having reviewed both applications, we concur with the trial court that this is an appropriate case for an interlocutory appeal under Rule 9. We also find good cause to expedite the appeal,” the Court said in an order.
Back in November, Davidson County Chancellor Patricia Head Moskal ruled that Gov Bill Lee could have acted outside his authority when he deployed the guard to Memphis but later stayed her ruling and allowed the Guard to remain in Memphis during the appeals process.
The state petitioned the appellate court on Dec. 2 to determine if it agreed with Moskal’s ruling, and the plaintiffs also filed a conditional request to appeal, asking the court to hear their side.
Amongst other positions, the state’s appeal argues that under TN law, Lee is authorized to deploy the National Guard in cases of “imminent danger” or “other grave emergency”, conditions it says the violent crime in Memphis meets “under any reasonable understanding of the phrase.”
The court has ordered both appeal applications be granted and oral arguments have been set to begin March 5, 2026. It is likely, though not certain, the Guard will still be in Memphis by that time as neither federal officials nor Gov. Bill Lee have given a timetable for the sunset of the MSTF.
Both entities have strongly supported extending the task force’s tenure in the Bluff City well into 2026, with Secretary of War Pete Hegseth previously indicating he is prepared to authorize and fund up to 1,000 Tennessee National Guard personnel to continue work with the task force through at least September of 2026.
About the Author: Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
One Response
Good!