(MENAFN) A Tennessee court on Monday determined that Governor Bill Lee’s deployment of the National Guard to Memphis, carried out at President Donald Trump’s request, was unlawful.

The ruling found that Lee did not have the legal authority to send military forces into the city, noting that state law allows such action only under specific conditions. The court highlighted that there was neither a “grave emergency” nor a “disaster,” nor had local officials requested assistance, as required by law.

The case was filed by a coalition of local and state leaders represented by advocacy groups and law firms. Following the decision, the coalition issued a joint statement emphasizing the protection of democratic principles.

"We brought this case because Tennesseans deserve leaders who follow the law, respect our Constitution, and protect—not undermine—our democratic institutions. Today’s ruling makes clear that no governor or president can deploy military force into our communities without legal authority, public accountability, or a genuine emergency. Military power must never be used as a political tool.

"Memphis deserves public safety, community investment, and democratic decision-making—not unlawful militarization," the statement added.
Trump had previously deployed the National Guard to Los Angeles and Washington, DC, and sent hundreds of US Marines to Los Angeles in June to respond to unrest stemming from his immigration policies.

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