Tennessee's military code includes provisions that, in some scenarios such as a 'breakdown of law and order,' require a request from a local government to use the National Guard.
November 17, 2025
high
legal
Statutory provision describing conditions under which local request is required for National Guard use.
Tennessee law grants the governor of Tennessee the authority to dispatch the Tennessee National Guard and to determine when that need exists.
November 03, 2025
high
legal
Describes the statutory authority under Tennessee law regarding state National Guard deployment.
Some legal interpretations of Tennessee law assert that the governor may deploy the Tennessee National Guard for civil unrest only in cases of rebellion or invasion and that such deployment would require action by the state legislature.
November 02, 2025
high
legal
Summarizes a legal interpretation regarding the conditions under which the Tennessee National Guard can be used for civil disturbances.