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The Tennessee Conservative [By Adelia Kirchner] –
Going into the upcoming legislative session, Representative Justin Jones (D-Nashville-District 52) remains in the midst of a legal battle against Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville-District 25).
Back in October of 2023, Rep. Jones filed a federal lawsuit against the State of Tennessee, Speaker Sexton, House Chief Clerk Tammy Letzler, Chief Sergeant at Arms Bobby Trotter and House Assistant Chief Clerk Daniel Hicks, claiming that his constitutional rights were being violated.
This lawsuit was filed after Rep. Jones was expelled from the Tennessee House of Representatives alongside Rep. Justin Pearson (D-Memphis-District 86) for leading a gun control protest from the well of the House floor, which even involved the lawmakers going so far as to sit on the well.
The third of “The Tennessee Three,” and the one participating representative who was not actually expelled by her colleagues, was Rep. Gloria Johnson (D-Knoxville-District 90).
At the time Representative Bryan Richey (R-Maryville-District 20) told CNN’s Jake Tapper that Rep. Jones actually wanted to be kicked out of the Tennessee General Assembly in order to increase his national exposure.
Rep. Richey’s statements lent credibility to the theory that the circumstances propelling the three Democratic lawmakers into the national spotlight, even receiving attention from Vice President Kamala Harris, was a coordinated stunt.
According to Jones, the violations began in April of 2023, when the defendants “unlawfully expelled” him and Rep. Pearson.
Despite their expulsion, both Rep. Jones and Rep. Pearson were almost immediately reappointed to their seats in the House by their local elected officials.
Once it came time for Election season, both Democrat lawmakers won their seats back once again.
Then, on Dec. 30th, 2024, Rep. Jones filed a memorandum to amend his complaint against Speaker Sexton and the other House staff saying that they had repeatedly “sought to silence” him and keep him from offering up a dissenting opinion on gun control.
He has claimed this is a violation of his federal and state rights.
Rep. Jones also states that the defendants turned off his microphone and voting machine during a March 30th floor session when he attempted to make a parliamentary inquiry about the Speaker banning him from wearing a “Halt the Assault” lapel pin.
Speaker Sexton “continued to abuse his power and target” Rep. Jones by repeatedly singling him out according to the Democratic lawmaker.
It was after this interaction that Rep. Jones, Rep. Pearson, and Rep. Johnson took to the well of the House floor to protest gun laws and encourage others who were yelling from the balcony.
Rep. Jones’ filing states that efforts to silence him continued well into the 2023 special session on public safety when new rules were established that allowed the House speaker “expansive powers to control debate.”
According to The Tennessee Lookout, Rep. Jones filed this memorandum in efforts “to seek relief from ‘continuing violations’ in advance of the 2025 session.”
Speaker Sexton and the other defendants previously filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, stating that the U.S. District Court lacks jurisdiction because Jones has no standing to file suit due to state sovereign immunity.
They also claimed that Jones’ suit is barred by personal immunity defenses and that he fails to make a claim “for which relief can be granted.”
Rep. Jones believes House staff and Speaker Sexton’s attempt to dismiss his complaint has no merit and that his case should progress and go before U.S. District Court Judge Eli Richardson.
Jones says Sexton and the other defendants then punished him for exercising his right to free speech, removing him from committees, revoking his access to the Capitol and legislative garage and then expelling him and Pearson, both of whom are Black, while allowing Johnson, who is white, to remain a House member.
The expulsion was “unprecedented,” Jones’ filing says, adding that in the House’s 200-year history, only three members had been removed for alleged criminal conduct.
Jones’ filing says efforts by Sexton and the other defendants to silence him continued through a special session in 2023 on public safety when new rules were introduced giving the House speaker “expansive powers to control debate.” Jones’ filing says the rules prevented him from asking for a vote of “no confidence” in Sexton.
About the Author: Adelia Kirchner is a Tennessee resident and reporter for the Tennessee Conservative. Currently the host of Subtle Rampage Podcast, she has also worked for the South Dakota State Legislature and interned for Senator Bill Hagerty’s Office in Nashville, Tennessee. You can reach Adelia at adelia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
