State Reps. Justin Jones and Justin Pearson Expelled from the Tennessee House of Representatives

The Tennessee Star Header

After a contentious session in the Tennessee House on Thursday two Democrat state representatives were expelled from office by their congressional colleagues.

Thursday afternoon, State Rep. Justin Jones (D-Nashville) (pictured above) was officially removed from the Tennessee state legislature by a vote of 72-25.

Members fell short in their effort to expel fellow Knoxville-area Democrat State Rep. Gloria Johnson (pictured below) by one vote, 65-30. A super majority of 66 was required.

Johnsonโ€™s successful defense hinged on the veteran lawmakerโ€™s comparatively placid role in the takeover of the House Floor on March 30. The former teacher did not hold up signs or pound the podium, unlike her Democrat cohorts Jones and Pearson.

Consideration of Resolution HR 0063 to expel State Rep Justin Pearson (D-Memphis) (pictured below) ended Thursday evening with the removal of the progressive firebrand by a vote of 69-26.

During the Thursday session, lawmakers voted to enact resolution and HR 0065, officially expelling Jones with a vote of 72-25.

Jones was expelled after his participation in a riot at the Capitol one week ago, and had an opportunity to speak for 20 minutes before facing questions from House Speaker Cameron Sexton (R-Cumberland County) and others.

Jones, in part, blamed the alleged influence of the National Rifle Association (NRA) upon Republican lawmakers in the Tennessee House.

He also claimed that he was simply standing up against gun violence on behalf of their constituents.

One of the main points of contention was that Jones used a bullhorn during an active session during Thursdayโ€™s right, while rioters attempted to break into the Capitol chambers, where state legislatorsโ€™ offices are located.

Video from earlier in the day shows the now-expelled lawmaker and his counterparts entering the Tennessee House with fists raised, to much fanfare.

Throughout the day, the House gallery was packed with protestors. More protestors gathered outside, many protesting for anti-gun policies.

Before the session, Jones circulated a letter to supporters asking them not to shout or scream inside the House gallery, warning that they would be thrown out of the gallery for such behavior.

He compared his supporters to the witnesses of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

โ€œPersonally, I am begging you not to get kicked out of the gallery,โ€ he wrote. โ€œToday, I pray that you will be a witness just as the women at the crucifixion of Jesus were present, to tell the truth about the assault on democracy in the state of Tennessee.โ€

The Tennessee GOP shared the full letter to its Twitter account.

Thursdayโ€™s House Floor session began with a debate over HB 0332, which would provide schools with funding to hire armed security guards.

Pearson spoke out during the debate, saying that arming schools would contribute to the โ€œschool to prison pipeline,โ€ while also warning that it could lead to โ€œgun battlesโ€ in schools, or that a school resource officer could accidentally shoot an innocent student.

Rep. William Lamberth (R-Sumner County) responded by saying that schools with armed guards are not meant to be โ€œprisonsโ€ to keep students in, but rather to be โ€œfortressesโ€ to keep bad actors out.

HB 0332 eventually passed the State House by an overwhelming margin.

The only โ€œnoโ€ votes were from Jones, Johnson, Pearson and Rep. Torrey Harris (D-Shelby County).

The House passed further bills regarding mental health treatment, combatting overdoes, preventing parental fraud, wherein a man is tricked into believing that he fathered a child with a woman, a bill addressing barber and cosmetology licensure among others.

Last weekโ€™s anti-gun riot stemmed from a mass shooting at the hands of Audrey Elizabeth Hale, who identified as transgender, who killed six people in a murderous rampage at The Covenant Presbyterian School last Monday.

By Peter D’Abrosca

Read Original Article on Tennesseestar.com

The Star News Network
The Star News Networkhttps://starnewsdigitalmedia.com/
Star News Digital Media, Inc. is a media and news company that owns and operates The Star News Network family of digital newspapers and Star News Radio.

Columns

Why Fishermen Are Catching Fewer Lobsters in Maine

For veteran lobsterman Travis Dammier, it was the end of another trip at sea on a solo voyage to earn a living.

Viewers like you

There is no constitutional authority for any spending on public broadcasting โ€“ period. Any questions: See Article 1, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution.

Beyond the Trump-Musk fallout?

We are witnessing an unprecedented, unhinged Democrat effort to use lawfare, big Democrat donors, street theater, congressional disruptions, potty-mouth videos, the administrative state, the legacy media, and discredited pollsters to stop the Trump agenda.

Trans-wormal

No worm ever said "I am anthropomorphizing, I am a butterfly" to a toad or flock of geese and expected acknowledgement and support.

In Greenlandโ€™s Icy Capital, Past Troubles Haunt Hopes for the Future

As geopolitical realities and ongoing economic growth raise the stakes, U.S. interest in Greenland and the dream of independence may change things in a big way.

News

Citigroup Reverses Course on Controversial Firearm Policies

Citigroup reversed its policy requiring retail business clients to refrain from selling firearms to those who havenโ€™t passed background checks.

Supreme Court Sides With DOGE in Social Security, Records Cases

The Supreme Court handed DOGE two big wins late on June 6 in its effort to reduce the size of the federal government.

Kilmar Abrego Garcia Returns to US to Face Criminal Charges

Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a citizen of El Salvador, is on his way back to the US, where he will face criminal charges for allegedly smuggling illegal immigrants.

White House Adviser Gives Update on DOGEโ€™s Future Amid Muskโ€“Trump Spat

A top White House adviser said DOGEโ€™s work will likely continue amid a spat between its former chief, Elon Musk, and President Donald Trump.

Trump Administration Asks Supreme Court to Allow Dismantling of Education Department

Trump admin asked Supreme Court to allow it to resume dismantling U.S. Dept of Education, following a lower courtโ€™s previous order halting process.

FTC Warns of Rising Student Loan Scams, Says Fraudsters Took Millions From Borrowers

FTC is warning borrowers to steer clear of student loan debt-relief scams, after shutting down group of companies that allegedly charged millions in illegal fees and left customers worse off.

Walmartโ€™s Drone Delivery Coming to 5 More US Cities

Walmart is set to launch its drone delivery service in five more U.S. cities: Atlanta, Charlotte, Houston, Orlando, and Tampa, the company.

Court Orders Trump Administration to Restore AmeriCorps Funding to States

Federal court ordered Trump admin to restore AmeriCorps funding to states. The ruling comes as part of a lawsuit filed by 24 states and DC.
spot_img

Related Articles