White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre disavowed the Tennessee legislature’s upcoming vote to oust several Democratic members following their participation in anti-gun violence protests at the state capitol.
Republicans introduced legislation on Tuesday to expel Democratic Reps. Gloria Johnson, Justin Jones, and Justin Pearson for their role in the protests on March 30 in response to a deadly school shooting in Nashville, Tennessee.
TENNESSEE REPUBLICANS MOVE TO OUST THREE DEMOCRATS OVER GUN VIOLENCE PROTESTS
The three Democrats are accused of “knowingly and intentionally [bringing] disorder and dishonor to the House of Representatives through their individual and collective actions.”
The resolution will likely pass the heavily Republican-controlled body, and Jean-Pierre opened her Thursday briefing by criticizing the Tennessee GOP.
“The fact that this vote is happening is shocking, undemocratic, and without precedent,” she stated. “Across Tennessee and across America, our kids are paying the price for the actions of Republican lawmakers.”
The “Tennessee 3” claim their removal will violate rights outlined in federal and state constitutions.
“We walked to the well to speak to the people who were begging us to protect them,” Johnson said in a statement. “Article Two of the state constitution states that lawmakers have a right to protest against and dissent from any legislation that’s injurious to the people.”
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You can watch Thursday’s briefing in full below.
