Tennessee State Representative Lee Reeves (R-Franklin) sat down with The Tennessee Star’s CEO and Editor-in-Chief Michael Patrick Leahy, where he offered a detailed firsthand account of last week’s chaotic scenes inside the Tennessee Capitol during the three-day special session on congressional redistricting.
During Tuesday’s edition of The Michael Patrick Leahy Show, Reeves said he witnessed “havoc” unfold from his seat inside the House chamber as Democrats joined demonstrators in protesting the Republican-backed congressional map approved during the special session.
“All the Democrats got up out of their seats,” Reeves said. “They walked to the front, they locked arms, they had whistles blowing, they had earplugs in their ears.”
Reeves said the disruption began moments after State Rep. Greg Martin (R-District 26) started speaking in support of the legislation.
“I think he got one sentence in,” Reeves said. “And that is when it went down.”
According to Reeves, Democratic lawmakers occupied the House floor while protesters in the Capitol galleries simultaneously activated personal alarms and created additional noise to halt proceedings.
“These personal alarms were going,” Reeves said. “They scattered them amongst the chairs.”
He described the atmosphere both inside and outside the Capitol as aggressive and volatile.
“This was not a peaceful protest,” Reeves said. “This was the kind of mob that really felt like violence could happen.”
He said tensions began building before lawmakers even entered the House chamber Thursday morning, the final day of the three-day special session.
“We stepped out. It was fairly quiet, and the moment they saw representatives, it was hooting and hollering and screaming and cursing,” Reeves said.
He described many demonstrators as “paid, professional protesters” who regularly appear at demonstrations inside the Capitol.
“We do have some professionals that show up every day,” Reeves said. “That’s how I know they’re professionals. We saw a couple familiar faces, but only because they stand there and with a different sign every day protesting.”
With regard to lawmakers approving Tennessee’s new congressional map, Reeves said the General Assembly acted within its constitutional authority.
“I don’t want people to forget that is what the people of Tennessee have decided in each and every district across the state. They have decided, ‘No, we want to elect the Republican. We like conservative values here in Tennessee.’ And for all the people saying this just doesn’t represent Tennessee, it actually very much does,” Reeves added.
Reeves also criticized media coverage of the demonstrations, accusing outlets of presenting a misleading narrative about the events inside the Capitol.
“It’s absurd the way that they are crafting a narrative,” Reeves said.
He further alleged some widely circulated photographs from the protests were staged.
“It is amazing how performative it is,” Reeves said.
According to Reeves, Democrats first attempted to delay proceedings by introducing dozens of amendments before eventually escalating to direct disruptions on the House floor.
“We had, I think, 36 amendments that various Democrats added to the bill,” Reeves said. “They were designed to slow down the process.”
When Republicans prepared to begin debate on the final redistricting proposal, Reeves said Democrats moved into coordinated protest actions.
“Every single Democrat was up there,” Reeves said. “Even the folks that I thought, no, these people really respect the institution. Surely they wouldn’t be up there. They were.”
Reeves also confirmed Democratic lawmakers blocked Republican members from reaching their desks during voting.
“Representative Johnny Garrett was not able to get to his desk to vote,” Reeves said. “They were blocking him from getting to his desk.”
Following adjournment, Reeves said Republican lawmakers encountered hostile crowds while leaving the Capitol.
“There were shouting, there were F-bombs, there were fists in the air,” Reeves said, going on to describe how he helped fellow members safely exit the building, particularly female and elderly legislators. “I made sure that some of the ladies with me were okay as I walked down the stairs.”
He also said State Representative Gino Bulso (R-Brentwood) was surrounded by protesters near the Capitol doors.
“I inserted myself between Representative Bulso and the protesters that were mobbing him,” Reeves said.
Reeves additionally said 75-year-old State Representative Kelly Keisling (R-Byrdstown) was pushed from behind by protesters outside the Capitol, an incident that was also witnessed by State Representative Rusty Grills (R-Newbern).
“I saw a colleague of mine, Representative Kelly Keisling, get pushed from behind by the mob,” Reeves said.
Reeves ultimately expressed disappointment in the conduct of Democratic members during the special session.
“I’m incredibly disappointed that even with the disagreement, there’s disagreement all the time, that my Democrat colleagues disrespected the institution so much,” Reeves said. “Every single one of them.”
Tune in now to The Michael Patrick Leahy Show – your AMERICA FIRST news talk!
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https://t.co/5arTaRfUZ5— Michael Patrick Leahy (@michaelpleahy) May 12, 2026
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X.
