U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant has joined with Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Division to file a brief supporting Tennessee’s appeal in a case regarding the deployment of the Tennessee National Guard for public safety efforts in Memphis.
The legal action, filed on January 16, 2026, involves the United States acting as Amicus Curiae in support of Governor Bill Lee's decision to deploy National Guard members to assist the Memphis Safe Task Force. The underlying lawsuit, Lee Harris, et al. v. William B. Lee, et al., was initiated by Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris and several state lawmakers in Davidson County Chancery Court against Governor Lee, Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti, and the Adjutant General of the Tennessee National Guard. Plaintiffs challenged both constitutional and statutory grounds for mobilizing the Guard.
The Chancery Court granted a temporary injunction blocking the deployment but stayed its enforcement pending an appeal application. On January 12, 2026, Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti submitted an appellate brief seeking reversal of that decision in the Tennessee Court of Appeals.
The trial court’s injunction has prevented President Trump’s request for National Guard assistance from being fulfilled in Memphis law enforcement operations. The United States argued that it has significant interest in this litigation and that its participation as amicus curiae would help inform the appeals process. Oral arguments are scheduled for March 5, 2026 at the Tennessee Supreme Court building in Nashville.
Governor Lee’s deployment was coordinated with President Trump as a response to what officials described as a public safety emergency in Memphis. According to statements provided by federal authorities, this initiative led to thousands of arrests and seizure of hundreds of unlawfully possessed firearms within months; they report notable decreases in crime rates during this period.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant stated: “One of President Trump’s top priorities is restoring law and order in cities plagued by violent crime, and the Tennessee National Guard has played a critical role in the unprecedented success of the Memphis Safe Task Force. As the chief federal law enforcement officer in West Tennessee, I am proud to stand with General Skrmetti in defending the constitutionality of Governor Lee’s exercise of executive authority and continuing to work with the Tennessee National Guard in protecting Memphians.”
Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate, Deputy Assistant Attorney General Eric D. McArthur, DOJ Counsel John Bailey (DOJ Civil Division), and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Martin (Western District of Tennessee) are also representing federal interests before the appellate court.
For more information or updates on this case or related matters from Western District of Tennessee authorities, interested parties may follow official social media channels or contact their media relations team directly.
