Debate over expelled lawmakers brings more bad publicity to Tennessee

Former U.S. President Barack Obama said no elected official should lose their job simply for raising their voice — especially when doing so on behalf of children.

“What happened in Tennessee is the latest example of a broader erosion of civility and democratic norms,” Obama wrote on Twitter. “Silencing those who disagree with us is a sign of weakness, not strength, and it won’t lead to progress."

Michael Steele, the former RNC chairman, criticized Tennessee's conservative lawmakers for expelling Reps. Justin Jones, D-Nashville, and Justin Pearson, D-Memphis, from the state House. Meanwhile, Rep. Gloria Johnson, D-Knoxville, escaped removal by one vote.

Jones and Pearson are African Americans. Johnson is white.

"So tell me how to process that because I know what it feels like," Steele wrote on Twitter.

And Occupy Democrats praised the trio nicknamed the “Tennessee 3.” The political activist group even predicted Jones and Pearson — thanks to Thursday's made-for-cable-television, oratorial performances — are now in position to become future stars of the Democratic Party and the worst political nightmare of Republicans during upcoming midterm elections. The tweet gathered 11,000 responses by Friday morning.

https://www.knoxnews.com/story/news/local/2023/04/08/tennessee-debate-on-political-activism-ignites-social-media/70093031007/