Animosity between Tennessee State Representative Justin Jones (D-Nashville) — who gained national attention last year for being (temporarily) kicked out of his seat — and Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton (R) continued to escalate this week.
Well, Mr. Speaker, the People have spoken.
— Rep. Justin Jones (@brotherjones_) August 4, 2023
The FIND OUT era of politics is just beginning.
See you August 21st for special session. pic.twitter.com/DoL3XvYheX
Sexton, who has been Speaker since 2019, led the effort to expel Jones — and fellow Democratic Reps. Justin J. Pearson (Memphis) and Gloria Johnson (Knoxville) — from the Tennessee House in April 2023. The three members were found to have “violated the chamber’s decorum rules by leading gun control protests on the House floor during a legislative session” — after six people were killed at the Covenant School mass shooting.
[Note: In a radio interview after the protests, Sexton compared the demonstration to an insurrection and compared it to the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. Note: No one was killed or injured, nor was anyone arrested at the protest.]
Yesterday, Jones was not allowed on the House floor. He reported (with photos below): “Speaker Sexton placed troopers outside his press conference, blocking me and the public from watching his briefing about the session.”
Today Speaker Sexton placed troopers outside his press conference, blocking me and the public from watching his briefing about the session.
— Rep. Justin Jones (@brotherjones_) February 22, 2024
I have stayed to listen to his weekly comments to be informed of his deceptive narratives.
He continues to prove he is drunk with power. pic.twitter.com/R08HVSvlyi
Jones added: “I have stayed to listen to his weekly comments to be informed of his deceptive narratives. He continues to prove he is drunk with power.”
