Ben Crump May Be Positioning for Lawsuit over New Tennessee Driver’s License Requirements, Pappert Says

Kaitlin Housler
Ben Crump

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump’s criticism of Tennessee’s new driver’s license law may signal the beginning of a future legal challenge, according to The Tennessee Star’s lead reporter, Tom Pappert.

During an appearance on Tuesday on The Michael Patrick Leahy Show, Pappert discussed Crump’s recent comments opposing House Bill 1708, which Governor Bill Lee signed into law earlier this year and is scheduled to take effect in January 2027.

The law requires applicants for a Tennessee driver’s license to provide proof of citizenship and pass an English proficiency examination. Applicants who fail the exam will receive a temporary, nonrenewable driving credential valid for three years. After that period, they must pass the English test to obtain a standard driver’s license.

Pappert noted Crump, who recently warned the law could reverse “30 years of progress” in Tennessee, has frequently been involved in litigation within the state.

“Ben Crump, of course, the famous, potentially infamous, depending on your political view, civil rights lawyer, has really taken on the role that has been created since, I don’t know, the ’80s, where now he is the guy when a racial shooting happens, when a police shooting occurs, when somebody dies in custody, Ben Crump appears,” Pappert said.

According to Pappert, Crump has been involved in Tennessee legal matters repeatedly in recent years.

“Believe it or not, Ben Crump has sued or been involved in different lawsuits in Tennessee at least 10 different times since 2021,” Pappert said. “It seems like we’re talking about him all the time.”

Detailing the provisions of HB 1708, Pappert said Crump views the legislation as “a war against progress.”

When asked whether Crump was threatening to sue over the law, Pappert said no formal legal challenge has been announced yet, though he pointed to Crump’s extensive involvement in Tennessee legal and political matters, including his participation in a 2024 “Men for Kamala Harris” event in Memphis.

“I say all this to point out that Ben Crump seems to have an affinity for Tennessee,” Pappert said. “He seems to have an affinity for litigation in Tennessee, and it does seem to me that this is the first step in marching toward that goal.”

However, Pappert suggested that public reaction to Crump’s comments indicated the issue may not resonate with all of the attorney’s supporters.

“Some of the responses to his social media were to the effect of ‘We speak English in this country, Mr. Crump. Why shouldn’t we do this?'” Pappert said. “So perhaps this is a little bit outside his wheelhouse, but it does seem as though he’s putting out feelers.”

Despite this, Pappert concluded he would not be shocked if future litigation arises over the law.

“I wouldn’t be surprised at all,” he said.

Watch:

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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network.
Photo “Ben Crump” by Lorie Shaull. CC BY-SA 2.0. 

 

 

 

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