A group of Senate Democrats is asking the Justice Department to look into the expulsion of two Tennessee lawmakers last week.
Democrat Sens. Chuck Schumer (N.Y.), Raphael Warnock (Ga.), Chris Murphy (Conn.), Alex Padilla (Calif.) and Brian Schatz (Hawaii) sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland on Wednesday to call on the Justice Department to investigate the expulsions of Tennessee state Reps. Justin Pearson (D-Memphis) and Justin Jones (D-Nashville).
The lawmakers urged the Department to use “all available legal authorities” in investigating the expulsions to determine if the move violated the Constitution or federal civil rights laws, according to the letter obtained by The Hill.
The letter pointed to the Nashville Covenant School shooting that prompted the group of three Democrat lawmakers — Jones, Pearson and state Rep. Gloria Johnson (D-Knoxville) — to protest against gun violence. The shooting left six people dead, including three 9-year-olds, which led gun safety reform groups in Tennessee to call for change.
“Their tragedy shattered hearts across our country and galvanized Americans—particularly young Americans in Tennessee—to peacefully demand their legislators act,” the letter said. “These deeply moving expressions of democratic participation follow America’s long tradition of peaceful, non-violent protest, perfected during the struggles and triumphs of the Civil Rights Movement.”
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