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Tennessee House Expels Democrat Member Following Gun Control Protests
The Tennessee House on Thursday expelled state Rep. Justin Jones (D), one of three Democrats accused of participating in a gun control demonstration that stormed the legislative chambers last week.
Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton (R) tweeted on April 3rd, “We have always welcomed peaceful protestors to the capitol to have their voices heard on any issue.”
He did, however, mention the alleged activities of Rep. Jones, as well as Reps. Gloria Johnson (D) and Justin Pearson (R) (D), “[broke] several rules of decorum and procedure on the House floor.” The Tennessean reported that Johnson, Jones, and Pearson allegedly used “a bullhorn” as they “led protestors in the galleries in several chants calling for gun reform.”
Cameron went on to say, “Their actions and beliefs that they could be arrested on the House floor were an effort, unfortunately, to make themselves the victims.”
Prior to the vote, White House communications secretary Karin Jean-Pierre chimed in, saying it was “shocking, undemocratic, and without precedent.”
According to CNN, the Tennessee House voted 75-25 to oust Jones from the chamber on Thursday.
Reps. Johnson and Pearson are set to be removed later Thursday.
The expulsion of Johnson, Jones, and Pearson marks the fourth time lawmakers in Tennessee have been removed since the Civil War, according to the Tennessean.
The first of three previous occurrences occurred in 1866, the second in 1980, and the third in 2016.
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