TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Julia Wilburn on Oct 2, 2025

State Sen. Jeff Yarbro, D-Nashville, is accusing Attorney General (AG) Jonathan Skrmetti of improperly revising and withdrawing a prior legal opinion, written by former AG Herbert Slatery, to allow Gov. Bill Lee to deploy National Guard troops to Memphis at President Donald Trump’s request. Yarbro argues the move violates both the U.S. and Tennessee constitutions, which prohibit military involvement in policing, and says it undermines the rule of law. Skrmetti defends the change, stating attorney general opinions are not binding and that the office withdraws opinions when it finds the state of the law has changed or the analysis was incorrect. Sen. Mark Pody, R-Lebanon, contends the governor has clear authority over the Guard. Yarbro maintains state law authorizes changes or omissions only when the legislature passes new laws or a court makes a conflicting ruling, and warns that ignoring constitutional limits amounts to “tyranny.” Tennessee Lookout has the story.