Tennessee Republicans compare gun protest to Jan. 6, move to expel Democratic lawmakers

Only two members of the Tennessee state House have been expelled from the chamber since the Civil War. On Thursday, Republicans plan to expel three Democrats at once for the unpardonable sin of leading “gun reform now” chants from the podium without having been recognized to speak.

Republicans introduced formal expulsion resolutions against Reps. Gloria Johnson of Knoxville, Justin Jones of Nashville, and Justin Pearson of Memphis on Monday night, claiming they “did knowingly and intentionally bring disorder and dishonor to the House of Representatives through their individual and collective actions.” A final vote is planned for Thursday, which is expected to pass easily given the huge Republican advantage in the chamber. The initial vote passed on a party line vote of 72-23. Before the expulsion vote, the Democrats were stripped of their committee assignments and their access to the legislative office building was restricted.

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