What the expulsion of two representatives tells us about Tennessee

Tennessee House Republicans voted Thursday to expel two Democratic colleagues for breaking House rules. This came just days after Reps. Justin Jones, Gloria Johnson and Justin Pearson took to the House floor to join protesters calling for gun reform. The expulsion made national and international headlines. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre opened the Thursday’s press briefing by calling the expulsion vote “shocking, undemocratic and without precedent.” Vice President Kamala Harris traveled to Nashville on Friday to visit the Reps. Jones, Johnson and Pearson, who have been dubbed the “Tennessee Three.” In this episode, we speak to local community leaders about the impact of Jones and Pearson’s expulsion and ask the question if the state is sliding into fascism. But first, WPLN producer Cynthia Abrams gives an update on the Nashville Metro Council, which will meet to discuss the vacancy created by Rep. Justin Jones’ expulsion. Guests: Holly McCall, editor in chief, The Tennessee Lookout Gicola Lane, statewide organizer, Free Hearts Cindy Kam, Vanderbilt University professor of political science Erin York, Vanderbilt University assistant professor of political science Further reading: Tennessee House Republicans expel 2 young Black Democrats for gun protests after Covenant School shooting The nation reacts to the Tennessee legislature’s expulsion of 2 Black lawmakers Black leaders call out hypocrisy and racism after vote to expel Jones and Pearson from Tennessee House Who were the Tennessee House Republicans who voted against expulsion?