Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (DN.Y.) on Thursday criticized Tennessee Republicans for expelling two Democratic lawmakers from the state House, calling the move “a blatant abuse of power.”
Ocasio-Cortez spoke to CNN after the GOP-led chamber voted on Friday to remove state Reps. Justin Jones and Justin Pearson, who had led protests on the House floor without being recognized to speak – violating the rules of conduct and decorum. The demonstration comes after last month’s school shooting in Nashville that left six people dead, not including the attacker.
“This is about a fascist takeover of our country that has invested Republicans for the last several decades,” said Ocasio-Cortez, who has previously invested. tweeted about Republican “fascism.”
“This is about disenfranchising Democrats in states where there are extreme levels of voter suppression,” he added.
The New York Democrat also said race played a role in the removal of the two lawmakers, who are Black.
“This is very much about racism,” said Ocasio-Cortez, who called the “disrespectful and derogatory comments made by Black members of the Tennessee House.”
He further noted that Rep. Gloria Johnson — a white Democrat who also joined the protests and faces an expulsion vote — narrowly remained seated.
Ocasio-Cortez joins several other prominent Democrats who have ousted the House, including President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, former President Barack Obama and former Vice Presidents. Al Gore.