Despite conflicting information, the Tennessee National Guard isn't going anywhere. At least not immediately.
The members of the National Guard, and other federal agents, that are stationed in town as part of President Donald Trump's Memphis Safe Task Force
have been constantly shifting in and out of Memphis since October. It is not clear exactly how long task force members stay in Memphis, with some saying they shift staff each week or so.A media report the morning of Aug. 28 said the National Guard was withdrawing from Memphis, but Gov. Bill Lee's office said the National Guard is continuing its work and troops will remain in Memphis.
"The Tennessee National Guard continues to support the Memphis Safe Task Force alongside federal, state and
local law enforcement partners," Lee's Director of Communications Elizabeth Johnson said in an email. "Gov. Lee remains in close communication with the Trump administration about this strategic public safety mission to ensure the long-term flourishing of Memphis."
Lee, who commands the state's national guard, has spoken on the force's successes while deployed in Memphis over the past year.
The initial reporting led to confusion among elected officials and members of the task force.
Deputy Chief Brady McCarron, from the U.S. Marshals Service’s Office of Public Affairs, directed questions about the future of the National Guard’s involvement in Memphis to the National Guard. The U.S. Marshals Service has led the task force’s operations since its inception.
“There are conflicting answers being pushed out and we feel it is best to get the answer directly from them,” McCarron said in an email.
The Commercial Appeal reached out to a prior point of contact with the National Guard, but did not receive a response. McCarron, when asked who is best to speak with at the National Guard, said the Marshals Service was unsure who to reach out to.
McCarron also said National Guard members are doing "administrative work" on Aug. 28 and "are not coming to the command center." He did not clarify what administrative work entails.
The conflicting reports of the National Guard’s future came a day after an autopsy was released for Tyrin Johnson, finding he had been shot in the back by troops as he ran from them in the early morning hours of July 5. According to Memphis police and National Guard narratives of the incident, Johnson turned toward the officers with a gun in his hand.
No law enforcement agencies commented on the autopsy's release.
The role of the National Guard has been relatively minor, with members frequently seen patrolling Downtown Memphis over weekends and securing certain crime scenes throughout the city. At points, members of the National Guard have been conducting traffic during events.
When they first deployed, officials said they would not be armed. They later clarified that National Guard members would have their sidearms, a handgun, but no long rifles. They also have not been tasked with any explicit law enforcement duties despite being deputized by the U.S. Marshals Serivce.
Though Memphis police have said the National Guard is not allowed to make arrests, they have been authorized to detain suspects if they reach a scene before law enforcement does.
Lucas Finton covers crime, policing, jails, the courts and criminal justice policy for The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached by phone or email: (901)208-3922 and Lucas.Finton@commercialappeal.com, and followed on X @LucasFinton.
Annie Goldman covers government for The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached at annie.goldman@commercialappeal.com or 901-930-7431.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: The National Guard to remain in Memphis as part of Trump's task force
