Chaotic Scene as TN House Speaker Shoves Dem Representative
At the close of the TN House Special Session, House Speaker Cameron Sexton shoved Rep. Justin Pearson on the floor as he was walking out. Pearson was one of two black representatives expelled by Republicans last session over his opposition to pro-gun legislation, but his district voted him right back in.
Citizens observing from the gallery showered TN House Republicans with loud chants of "Vote Them Out!" as they left the floor. This clip from WPLN reporter Blaise Gainey shows the incident from a different angle.
When questioned by reporters afterwards, the Speaker denied shoving Pearson and claimed Pearson hit him on his shoulder, causing his head to go down.
The heavily gerrymandered TN House has become a toxic environment, but with spectators and reporters removed from hallways and committee hearings, representatives expelled, and now this.
