Republicans in Tennessee took steps to expel three Democrats from the GOP-controlled state House for speaking at a gun control protest after the shooting at a Nashville school that killed six people, including three children.
The saga began last week when Democrats – state Reps. Gloria Johnson, Justin Jones and Justin Pearson – led protesters in a string of chants on the floor of the chamber without being recognized to speak. Hundreds gathered at the Capitol to call for gun bans after the shooting at a private Christian school in Nashville.
That action violated the chamber’s rules, and Republicans filed a series of resolutions Monday to expel the three Democrats for “disgraceful behavior” that “knowingly and intentionally” brought “disruption and disrespect to the House of Representatives.” The GOP holds a majority in the Tennessee House, with 75 of the 99 seats.
The final vote is scheduled for Thursday, when the three lawmakers will be able to defend their actions. He has been removed from his committee duties.
The expulsion move sparked outrage on Monday, with protesters shouting Republicans and calling lawmakers fascists from the gallery at the Capitol, The Tennessean reported.
“We’re going to step back, and we’re going to fight this because it’s unprecedented and unconscionable,” Johnson told the newspaper on Monday night, adding that he will think he’s fired.
He noted that the GOP did not eliminate former Rep. David Byrd, despite the sexual accusations, and helped get re-elected.
“But talk on the floor without permission, and you’re kicked out,” Johnson added.
The expulsion of an elected Tennessee lawmaker is rare, The Associated Press noted, with only two House lawmakers expelled since the Civil War. Most recently, Rep. Jeremy Durham, was fired in 2016 after being accused of misconduct.