MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Congressman Steve Cohen has joined a group of U.S. Senate Democrats in urging the Department of Justice to investigate the expulsion of Tennessee Representatives Justin Jones and Justin Pearson. Both have since been reappointed to the seats.
Cohen said Thursday he sent his own letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland asking for a DOJ review of the expulsion of Jones and Pearson, and the failed vote to expel Rep. Gloria Johnson.
"This chilling event may have deprived these state legislators of their constitutional rights and, just as significantly, the rights of their constituents to be fully represented in the state legislature," said Cohen in the letter. “Prior to my service in Congress, I served in Tennessee State Senate for 24 years. I understand and appreciate the rules of decorum and how -- though they may be frustrating at times -- serve to guide our debates and keep our rhetoric civil. However, there are many ways other than expulsion to uphold these rules."
Cohen's letter came after news Wednesday that some U.S. Senate Democrats, led by Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Sen. Raphael Warnock, wrote a letter to A.G. Garland, asking the DOJ to determine "whether any violations of the United States Constitution or federal civil rights laws have occurred, and to take all steps necessary to uphold the democratic integrity of our nation's legislative bodies."
Of the expulsions, the senators' letter said, “In taking this radical action, rather than responding to the intolerable violence inflicted upon a Tennessee community, the Tennessee House of Representatives chose to silence Black members of their own body who were protesting nonviolently, in response to violence.”
It continues, “Many in the Tennessee legislature appear to have convinced themselves that The People’s House is their house, and they have effectively evicted the districts’ voters out of their own house. This is un-democratic, un-American, and unacceptable, and the U.S. Department of Justice should investigate whether it was also unlawful or unconstitutional.”
The letter asks for a response from the Attorney General by Friday, April 28, 2023. Read the full letter HERE.
Both Pearson and Jones have been reappointed to their seats in the Tennessee House. Jones was sworn back in Monday. Pearson was reappointed Wednesday by the Shelby County Commission and is expected to be sworn in when he returns to the Capitol in Nashville Thursday, when the House holds its next floor session.