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      tennessee expulsions

      Democratic Tennessee Reps. Justin Pearson (center) and Justin Jones (right) attend the vote in which they were expelled from the state Legislature on April 6, 2023 in Nashville.

      Schumer and Warnock Lead Call for DOJ to Probe Expulsion of Tennessee Democrats

      Senate Democrats are asking U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland to "use all available legal authorities" to determine whether the U.S. Constitution or federal civil rights laws were violated and "take all steps necessary to uphold the democratic integrity of our nation's legislative bodies."

      Kenny Stancil
      Apr 12, 2023

      U.S. Senate Democrats on Wednesday sent a letter urging the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate the recent expulsion of two Tennessee Democratic lawmakers to determine whether the widely condemned move was unconstitutional or otherwise unlawful.

      Tennessee House Republicans have been roundly denounced since voting last Thursday to expel state Reps. Justin Jones (D-52) and Justin Pearson (D-86), with critics arguing that the removal of the Black progressive lawmakers—the state's first partisan expulsion since 1866—exemplifies the GOP's growing antagonism toward democracy.

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      Republican Tennessee Rep. William Lamberth enters the House chamber as protesters demand gun safety laws on April 3, 2023 in Nashville.

      We Are 'Just Beginning,' Tennessee GOP Boasts in Fundraiser After Expelling Democrats

      The willingness of Republicans "to expel democratically elected Democrats for minor-verging-on-made-up infractions portends a terrifying new development," warned one journalist.

      Kenny Stancil
      Apr 07, 2023

      The Tennessee Republican Party waited less than 24 hours to start fundraising off the expulsion of two progressive lawmakers from the state House—openly bragging Friday about what critics have called a blatantly anti-democratic move that shows the party's growing authoritarianism.

      State Reps. Justin Jones (D-52) and Justin Pearson (D-86) are two of three Democrats who joined protesters in interrupting a floor session on March 30 to demand gun control in the wake of last week's deadly school shooting in Nashville. Tennessee House Republicans on Thursday voted to expel both Black men from the chamber while a vote to expel their colleague Rep. Gloria Johnson (D-13), who is white, fell short.

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      Democratic state Reps. Gloria Johnson of Knoxville and Justin Jones of Nashville raise their arms in defiance

      Jones Says He Will Fight 'Unconstitutional' Expulsion as Reinstatement Votes Loom

      "It wasn't about us, it was about expelling the voices of those young people, expelling a movement," the former Tennessee state lawmaker said. "They've done the opposite."

      Jake Johnson
      Apr 07, 2023

      Former Tennessee State Rep. Justin Jones said Friday that he intends to challenge his expulsion in the courts and at the ballot box amid uncertainty about the path ahead for him and fellow removed Rep. Justin Pearson, whose decision to stand in solidarity with constituents protesting the scourge of gun violence drew national attention and praise.

      In an appearance on MSNBC's "Morning Joe," Jones said he believes his expulsion Thursday at the hands of Tennessee House Republicans was "unconstitutional" and that he's exploring legal action.

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