In the wake of the expulsion of two Tennessee lawmakers who led a riot obstructing a lawmaking session, left-wing activists and politicians have responded with fury.
“After a tragic mass shooting in Tennessee, state Republican lawmakers called votes to expel three Democratic legislators who stood in solidarity with students and families. The expulsion of lawmakers who engaged in peaceful protest is shocking, undemocratic, and unprecedented,” said President Joe Biden.
After a tragic mass shooting in Tennessee, state Republican lawmakers called votes to expel three Democratic legislators who stood in solidarity with students and families.
The expulsion of lawmakers who engaged in peaceful protest is shocking, undemocratic, and unprecedented.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) April 7, 2023
State Representatives Justin Jones (D-Nashville) and Justin Pearson (D-Memphis) were expelled from the legislature Thursday.
Former President Barack Obama weighed in, too.
“This nation was built on peaceful protest. No elected official should lose their job simply for raising their voice – especially when they’re doing it on behalf of our children,” Obama said.
What happened in Tennessee is the latest example of a broader erosion of civility and democratic norms. Silencing those who disagree with us is a sign of weakness, not strength, and it won’t lead to progress.
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) April 7, 2023
“What happened in Tennessee is the latest example of a broader erosion of civility and democratic norms,” he said. “Silencing those who disagree with us is a sign of weakness, not strength, and it won’t lead to progress.”
“Following yet another school shooting, Tennessee Republicans have moved on from offering empty thoughts and prayers’ in place of action,” said former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. “Now they’ve expelled two Democratic legislators who demanded safety for students and educators who just want to learn and teach in peace.”
“We don’t have to put up with these shockingly anti-democratic actions that deny voters’ voices and aim to cut off the progress we need,” she said.
We don't have to put up with these shockingly anti-democratic actions that deny voters' voices and aim to cut off the progress we need.
You can stand with expelled Reps. Justin Jones and Justin Pearson by donating to their re-election campaigns here: https://t.co/Q62sPcrn8F
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) April 7, 2023
But some conservatives stepped into battle the left-wing narrative.
“The left is trying to jail their most prominent political opponent while calling this a historic act of partisan retaliation,” said commentator Auron MacIntyre. “They’re going to lie about you anyway so you might as well have the stones to fight back like the Tennessee House.”
The left is trying to jail their most prominent political opponent while calling this a historic act of partisan retaliation
They’re going to lie about you anyway so you might as well have the stones to fight back like the Tennessee House https://t.co/DTgOWyuI4A
— Auron MacIntyre (@AuronMacintyre) April 7, 2023
“Tennessee shows how most everything Biden and his left media allies have said about ‘January 6!’ is big lie,” said Tom Fitton, the president of Judicial Watch. “The Left and their partisans repeatedly embrace and endorse violence and insurrection.”
Tennessee shows how most everything Biden and his left media allies have said about "January 6!" is big lie. The Left and their partisans repeatedly embrace and endorse violence and insurrection.
— Tom Fitton (@TomFitton) April 7, 2023
On March 27, 28-year-old Audrey Elizabeth Hale shot and killed six people, including three children, at The Covenant School in Nashville. Hale identified as transgender and was a former student at the Christian school.
That shooting precipitated the riot that led to the expulsions of Jones and Pearson.
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Pete D’Abrosca is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Pete on Twitter.
Photo “Joe Biden” by President Joe Biden. Photo “Barack Obama” by Gage Skidmore. CC BY-SA 2.0. Photo “Hillary Clinton” by Gage Skidmore. CC BY-SA 2.0. Background Photo “Tennessee State Capitol” by Ken Lund. CC BY-SA 2.0.
