Last Updated on April 4, 2023
The Tennessee legislature has moved to expel three Democrat lawmakers who took part in last week’s insurrection on the floor of the state Capitol building. Far-left protesters shoved police officers and interrupted official proceedings, the same actions that have landed hundreds of January 6 protesters in federal prison. Despite video evidence of crimes committed, officials have said there are currently no criminal investigations open nor arrests planned.
GOP lawmakers filed three resolutions on Monday seeking the expulsion of Democrat state Reps. Gloria Johnson, Justin Pearson and Justin Jones. The resolutions were filed by Republican Reps. Bud Hulsey, Gino Bulso and Andrew Farmer.
The three Democrat lawmakers led a mob of insurrectionists onto the House floor in demand of increased gun control. “There comes a time when you have to do something out of the ordinary,” wrote Jones in a tweet. “We occupied the House floor today after repeatedly being silenced from talking about the crisis of mass shootings.”
On Monday, Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton said the Democrat lawmakers’ actions were “unacceptable,” adding that they broke “several rules of decorum and procedure on the House floor.”
In response, Jones has characterized his potential expulsion as “fascism” and has continually called on left-wing agitators to flood the Capitol building.
“Tonight as Tennessee House Republicans push forward to schedule vote on our expulsion, Speaker Sexton orders the gallery cleared as crowd chants ‘fascists,’ wrote Jones in a tweet Monday night. “Media forced out as well. Then, Rep. Lafferty (R-Knox) pushes me and grabs my phone. This is a sad day for Tennessee.”
Tonight as Tennessee House Republicans push forward to schedule vote on our expulsion, Speaker Sexton orders the gallery cleared as crowd chants “fascists.”
Media forced out at as well.
Then, Rep. Lafferty (R-Knox) pushes me and grabs my phone.
This is a sad day for Tennessee. pic.twitter.com/Lh08Ma5kdS
— Rep. Justin Jones (@brotherjones_) April 4, 2023
Despite decrying his potential expulsion as “fascism,” Jones previously called for one of his GOP colleagues to be expelled for attending then-President Trump’s “Save America Rally” on January 6, 2021. Tennessee Rep. Terri Lynn Weaver, like tens of thousands of Americans, attended the peaceful rally that day and did not enter the Capitol building or clash with law enforcement in any way.
Still, Jones called for her expulsion anyway. “Tomorrow is the 1st day of Tennessee’s legislative session. We must demand that State Rep @TerriLynnWeaver is not seated and expelled from the legislature for her involvement in last wk’s white supremacist insurrection,” Jones wrote in January, 2021. “The oath of office lawmakers take is counter to her actions.”
Tomorrow is the 1st day of Tennessee’s legislative session. We must demand that State Rep @TerriLynnWeaver is not seated and expelled from the legislature for her involvement in last wk’s white supremacist insurrection. The oath of office lawmakers take is counter to her actions. https://t.co/gw27LWujED
— Rep. Justin Jones (@brotherjones_) January 11, 2021
