State Representative Justin Jones (D-Nashville) on Tuesday appeared at an anti-ICE protest at the Tennessee State Capitol, where the Democratic lawmaker was captured on video with a banner that read “Abolish ICE,” with activists protesting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
At least one camera captured Jones carrying the banner as he repeatedly stated “Abolish ICE” while the crowd cheered and photographers jostled to snap images.
BREAKING: leftists are staging an insurrection at the Tennessee State Capitol
LOCK THEM ALL UPpic.twitter.com/HA7eeFZMIc
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) January 13, 2026
State Representative Gloria Johnson (D-Knoxville) appeared to stand behind Jones at the end of the video. Johnson narrowly avoided expulsion from the General Assembly in 2023, when Jones and State Representative Justin Pearson (D-Nashville) were both removed from their seats over their role in a pro-gun control riot at the Capitol. Both were later returned to their seats by the Shelby County Commission and Nashville Metro Council.
More video, apparently captured at the Capitol earlier in the day, showed protesters carrying pride flags and signs opposing various Republican priorities as they chanted “faith over fear.”
HAPPENING NOW AT THE TN CAPITOL: “Love over hate! Love over hate!
Day 1 of the new legislative session being met either clergy-led prayer and song pic.twitter.com/gjyVgN4BEP
— The Tennessee Holler (@TheTNHoller) January 13, 2026
The protest in Nashville came one day after an anti-ICE activist in Memphis claimed he was struck by a Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) vehicle, though law enforcement has debunked the claim.
“Claims circulating on social media that a person was hit by a THP trooper in Memphis are false,” wrote THP in a post to X. “Video shows the individual holding the vehicle, lying down, then standing up and leaving on his own.”
THP added, “Peaceful protest is protected. Entering active roadways is not and risks lives.”
Claims circulating on social media that a person was hit by a THP trooper in Memphis are false. Video shows the individual holding the vehicle, lying down, then standing up and leaving on his own. Peaceful protest is protected. Entering active roadways is not and risks lives. pic.twitter.com/x0aSiw0rU1
— Tennessee Highway Patrol (@TNHighwayPatrol) January 13, 2026
The protests in Tennessee also come amid the sustained protests in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where an anti-ICE activist was shot last week after she allegedly attempted to strike an agent with her vehicle.
Mark Pulliam, a retired attorney and writer at Misrule of Law, described the actions by Democratic officials in Minnesota as an “unprecedented defiant rebellion” against law and order.
“What we’ve seen is these groups – NGOs, dark money-funded groups – recruiting, training and equipping these crazed anti-ICE agitators to try to obstruct and interfere with ICE’s operations in Minneapolis,” said Pulliam during an appearance on The Michael Patrick Leahy Show.
“This is an insurrection,” said Pulliam. “Americans have to unite behind the rule of law, behind President Trump, and not flinch in the face of this, because this is an unprecedented defiant rebellion.”
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Tom Pappert is a 2025 recipient of the Dao Prize and the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star. He also reports for the Star News Network. Follow Tom on X. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Justin Jones” by Tennessee Holler.
Jones is an idiot, and an embarrassment to Tennessee.
Same old garbage from this human heap of garbage.
Poor little Justina had to become a whacked out politician because she failed at her dream of being a ballerina, so sad for her.
Jones knows his constituency and is pandering to them accordingly.
So we have more Democrat inspired idiocy! Nothing new here!
Justina Jones is merely expressing the prevailing opinion of the Demonrat Party as one of supporting open borders invasion and insurrection by millions of America’s enemies, utter corruption, looting of the treasury and taxpaying citizens, lawlessness, cultural & moral degradation, sedition, tyranny and treason.