Visitors to Memphis this Thanksgiving weekend will likely notice an increased military presence as the Tennessee National Guard continues its controversial deployment as part of the Memphis Safe Task Force, despite an ongoing legal battle over its constitutionality.
The deployment has drawn sharp partisan lines, with Republicans calling it successful while Democrats argue it represents illegal government overreach. The dispute has now moved to the courts and could potentially trigger a special legislative session.
Legal Challenge Emerges
State Representative G.A. Hardaway, a Memphis Democrat, is among several lawmakers who sued the state over the National Guard deployment. “This is not a monarchy. There is no personal army that the Governor can deploy without consulting us,” Hardaway said.
The lawsuit gained traction in November when a Nashville-based chancellor declared the deployment unconstitutional. However, the guardsmen and women are allowed to remain in place while the appeal process moves forward. “He’s got to consult with the Tennessee General Assembly. He’s got to bring his case to us,” Hardaway said.
Special Session Speculation
The court ruling has sparked speculation about whether Governor Bill Lee might call a special session to circumvent the judge’s order. The Tennessee Journal reported last week that some Tennessee House Republicans have indicated a special session could be a possibility. For lawmakers to return to the Capitol, either a two-thirds majority of legislators or the governor himself must initiate the call…