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Democratic lawmaker urges Gov. Lee to reject Trump’s request for Tennessee National Guard troops

Democratic Rep. Mike Stewart raises questions about a bill to allow people with handgun carry permits to store firearms in their vehicles no matter where they are parked during a House Civil Justice Committee meeting in Nashville, Tenn., on Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013. From left are Rep. Sherry Jones, a fellow Nashville Democrat, and Republican Reps. Andrew Farmer of Sevierville and Rick Womick of Murfreesboro. The panel later voted to advance the measure to a full floor vote. (AP Photo/Erik Schelzig)
Democratic Rep. Mike Stewart raises questions about a bill to allow people with handgun carry permits to store firearms in their vehicles no matter where they are parked during a House Civil Justice Committee meeting in Nashville, Tenn., on Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013. From left are Rep. Sherry Jones, a fellow Nashville Democrat, and Republican Reps. Andrew Farmer of Sevierville and Rick Womick of Murfreesboro. The panel later voted to advance the measure to a full floor vote. (AP Photo/Erik Schelzig) Democratic Rep. Mike Stewart raises questions about a bill to allow people with handgun carry permits to store firearms in their vehicles no matter where they are parked during a House Civil Justice Committee meeting in Nashville, Tenn., on Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013. From left are Rep. Sherry Jones, a fellow Nashville Democrat, and Republican Reps. Andrew Farmer of Sevierville and Rick Womick of Murfreesboro. The panel later voted to advance the measure to a full floor vote. (AP Photo/Erik Schelzig)

By Andy Sher 3 min read

NASHVILLE – A top state Democratic lawmaker on Wednesday urged Republican Gov. Bill Lee to reject President Donald Trump’s request to send Tennessee National Guard troops to Washington to crack down on civil unrest there amid national protests over the death of George Floyd.

“Gov. Lee should follow the example of other governors and reject President Trump’s request for Tennessee National Guard troops to be sent to Washington, D.C.,” reads a statement by House Democratic Caucus Chairman Mike Stewart.

At least three states with Democratic governors – New York, Virginia and Delaware – have so far rejected the request.

Charging that “inflammatory statements by Trump and others in his administration demonstrate that his request for Tennessee’s support is designed to serve improper political ends,” Stewart added that “our Tennessee National Guard soldiers have performed a heroic duty overseas for many years, protecting us at great risk to themselves. That is the sort of mission for which they are properly deployed.”

Tennessee Adjutant General Jeff Holmes announced Tuesday he is sending about 1,000 guard members from the Knoxville-based 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment. That came after the state received a request this week from the chief of the National Guard Bureau, Gen. Joseph Lengyel. The 278th’s guardsmen come from across East Tennessee.