Senate Democrats Ask DOJ to Probe Expulsion of Tennessee State Legislators

A group of Senate Democrats has urged the Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate whether the Tennessee legislature violated federal law or the civil rights of Representatives Justin Jones and Justin Pearson for their role in peaceful protests in the state’s House of Representatives on March 30.

The senators argued that the state represented pre-textual excuses for their expulsion and claimed that there were no allegations of violent or illegal actions by the lawmakers. They also pointed out that Rep. Gloria Johnson of Knoxville, who is white, was not expelled despite her involvement in the protests.

The senators drew parallels with a 1966 Supreme Court case involving Julian Bond, a newly elected black representative in Georgia prevented from taking his seat due to his opposition to the Vietnam War.

The letter requests that DOJ investigate whether Memphis and Nashville voters’ rights to be represented by the legislators of their choice were violated and whether Jones and Pearson’s First and Fourteenth Amendment rights were violated. The DOJ has been given a deadline of April 28, 2023, to respond to the request.

Meanwhile, county and city officials have reinstated Jones and Pearson in their respective districts.