Seven Tennessee officials, including representatives from the state legislature and local government, have filed a lawsuit on Friday challenging the deployment of National Guard troops in Memphis. The legal action is backed by a liberal-leaning legal nonprofit that advocates for civil liberties and constitutional rights. The officials argue that the use of military personnel for domestic law enforcement is an overreach of federal authority and violates the state’s sovereignty.
The National Guard has been conducting patrols in parts of downtown Memphis for the past week, raising concerns among residents and legal experts about the implications of such deployments. The lawsuit seeks to halt the current operations and set a legal precedent regarding the use of military forces for domestic law enforcement. The case has garnered attention from civil rights organizations and legal scholars, highlighting ongoing debates over the role of the military in civilian affairs.