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Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee’s office says the National Guard will continue supporting a crime-fighting task force ordered by President Donald Trump in Memphis while state lawyers appeal a judge’s order that blocked the troops from operating in the city. A judge issued the order Monday as part of a lawsuit filed by Democratic state and local officials who contend that the Republican governor cannot deploy troops for civil unrest unless there is rebellion or invasion. The judge put the order on hold for at least five days, so that the government has time to file an application to appeal. Lee’s spokesperson says he has the authority to deploy the National Guard, saying Tuesday the state will appeal the order.

A Tennessee judge has blocked the use of the National Guard in Memphis under a crime-fighting operation by President Donald Trump. The order was put on hold, giving the government five days to appeal. Davidson County Chancellor Patricia Head Moskal’s decision Monday sides with Democratic state and local officials who sued. They contend that Republican Gov. Bill Lee cannot deploy the Tennessee National Guard for civil unrest unless there is rebellion or invasion. Even then, it would require action by state lawmakers. Spokespeople for the governor’s office and the state attorney general’s office did not respond to requests for comment Monday.