Democrat Facing Expulsion From Tennessee House Files Assault Charges Against Republican Colleague

A Democratic Representative in Tennessee, who is facing expulsion from his seat with two other Democrat colleagues, has filed assault charges against a Republican lawmaker after an incidence on the Tennessee House floor on April 3.

The incidence happened when protestors interrupted the House’s normal business in hopes of calling for gun control measures, following the recent Christian school shooting in Nashville on March 27, creating chaos on the Tennessee House floor.

According to MNPD Public Affairs Officer Kristin Mumford, Representative Justin Jones (D-Nashville) has filed charges with the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, alleging his Republican colleague committed a misdemeanor simple assault offense on the House Floor on the night of April 3.

The Alleged Incident

As protestors, including students, entered the chamber with a bullhorn to call for gun control measures, three Democrat lawmakers joined in by walking to the front of the chamber and interrupting the House’s usual business. During this time, Representative Jones was recording on his phone while Representative Justin Lafferty (R-Knoxville) was recording on his as well.

However, a short video published on Jones’ Twitter account on April 3 allegedly shows Lafferty grabbing Jones’ phone and pushing him. Although it is not clear if Jones was pushed, or what ensued after the seconds-long skirmish in the video, Lafferty has been charged with misdemeanor assault.

Attempts to reach both Jones and Lafferty for comments have been unsuccessful so far. This story will be updated if they respond.

Ouster Proceedings

Representatives Jones and two other Democrat lawmakers, Justin Pearson (D-Memphis) and Gloria Johnson (D-Knoxville), will face a vote of expulsion from the House on April 6.

According to Republican Tennessee House Speaker Representative Cameron Sexton, he believes the three lawmakers should be expelled from the chamber because they led the protest and breached the House’s decorum and rules, interrupting their session and causing it to be adjourned.

What’s Next

The Democrat lawmakers have defended their actions, with House Minority Leader Karen Camper commending their actions as “good trouble,” echoing the late Rep. John Lewis’s guiding principle.

Meanwhile, Justin Pearson, one of the lawmakers facing expulsion, has written an apology letter to his colleagues, admitting that he “did not follow decorum” and takes “full responsibility and accountability” for his actions. Through his letter shared on Instagram, he explains his walk to the House floor is a peaceful and civil manner, not an insurrection, and asserts he seeks to listen and respond to the voices of Tennessee residents who were not given a chance to share their views on the issue.