Tennessee Governor Bill Lee stated during a press conference on Tuesday that he does not intend to deploy National Guard troops in Tennessee cities for law enforcement purposes, nor will he accept federal forces to patrol Memphis, despite directives from the president.
Lee mentioned that, as of now, “We don’t have a National Guard.” He relayed to reporters that President Trump considers his decision to deploy the National Guard for crime control in cities such as Washington, D.C., to be a sound approach, which involves 160 Tennessee officials.
Despite this, the governor emphasized that Tennessee has made “significant investments” to address crime in Memphis, citing $150 million in grant funding that assisted local law enforcement, including Tennessee’s highway patrol and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. He noted a report indicating a 15% drop in crime in Memphis, although he did not provide specific timeframes for that statistic.
Given these measures, Lee confirmed he has no plans to send troops to Memphis or any other city, although he acknowledged that Trump intends to sign an executive order establishing a quick-response force for crime intervention in larger cities, which may include Memphis.
Tennessee National Guard joins DC police order
Lee clarified, “We hadn’t had any conversations with the president or his team about the National Guard in Memphis.” He mentioned targeted dialogue with federal agencies, stating he spoke with FBI officials regarding their initiatives in Memphis and Shelby County.
Recently, he has tasked security personnel with managing logistical and administrative duties for immigration and customs enforcement, aiming to free up federal agents for deportation efforts. Additionally, last week, he dispatched state troops to Washington, D.C. in response to Trump’s request for increased policing in the capital.
In a recent order, the President permitted Defense Secretary Pete Hegses to develop a “Speed Reaction Force” for deployment nationwide, instructing the National Guard to coordinate with local, state, and federal law enforcement to ensure public safety. When asked whether he would consider deploying such forces in Tennessee cities like Memphis and Nashville, Lee remarked, “There is no current situation that we believe we are not talking about that right now.”
Democratic leaders have criticized the President and Republican governors for their use of military forces in civilian law enforcement. For instance, California Governor Gavin Newsom has filed a lawsuit against the President for deploying National Guard troops and Marines in Los Angeles.
