Tennessee congressman reinstated after being ousted over gun control protests

Their dismissal was widely criticized by leaders across the country, including President Joe Biden, who tweeted, “The eviction of lawmakers who participated in peaceful protests is shocking, undemocratic and unprecedented.” . Expulsion has previously been used to remove members accused of serious crimes, such as soliciting bribes or allegedly committing sexual misconduct.

House Speaker Cameron Sexton, who leads the overwhelming Republican majority, attempted to compare the actions of lawmakers to those of the Jan. 6 riots at the U.S. Capitol, but protesters broke into buildings and destroyed property. And unlike the 2021 riots in Washington, D.C., demonstrators were allowed into buildings after going through security screenings, Tennessian reported. .

In advance of Jones’ reappointment, Sexton spokesperson Doug Kuffner said in a statement provided to BuzzFeed News that anyone appointed to the vacancy by the Nashville and Shelby County governments would be “required by the Constitution.” I will sit down as a representative of the company.”