Tag: Tennessee Capitol Riot

State Rep. Who Led Riot Says She Will Challenge Sen. Blackburn

Peter D'Abrosca

According to multiple reports, State Representative Gloria Johnson (D-Knoxville) will challenge Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) for her seat during the 2024 election cycle.

“I’m taking a serious look at the race and having conversations with folks that are hungry for better leadership in Washington,” Johnson told Politico. “Honestly, Tennesseans deserve someone who will stand up to corrupt special interests, fight for lower costs so that every family can build a good life and that’s not Marsha Blackburn.”

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Shelby County Commission Votes Unanimously to Appoint Justin Pearson as His Own Interim Successor to the Tennessee House

Peter D'Abrosca

After being expelled from the Tennessee State legislature last week for inciting a riot at the Capitol in Nashville, Democrat lawmaker Justin Pearson has been appointed as his own interim replacement. 

“Keep representing us to the best of your ability, and know that you all have support from this body,” said Shelby County Commissioner Mickell Lowery before turning the floor over to Pearson for remarks. 

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Aaron Gulbransen Analyzes What to Do with Three Democratic State Lawmakers Who Participated in State Capitol Riot

Julie Carr

Thursday morning on The Tennessee Star Report, host Michael Patrick Leahy welcomed Aaron Gulbransen, the Tennessee state director for the Faith and Freedom Coalition, in studio to give his position on the expulsion of  State Representatives Justin Jones (D-Nashville), Justin Pearson (D-Memphis), and Gloria Johnson (D-Knoxville).

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County Commissions Could Choose Interim State Reps If Johnson, Jones, Pearson Are Expelled from Office

Peter D'Abrosca

As Tennessee Republicans move forward with the attempted expulsion of three state representatives who led last Thursday’s riot at the State Capitol, questions linger about what will happen if those representatives are indeed expelled.

State Representatives Justin Jones (D-Nashville), Justin Pearson (D-Memphis), and Gloria Johnson (D-Knoxville) helped lead the riot, which was thwarted by the Tennessee State Troopers who guard the state capitol just before rioters could push their way out of the Capitol gallery and into the Tennessee House chamber, where state lawmakers have their offices.

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Tennessee Authorities: No Arrests or Pending Charges for Capitol Rioters

Peter D'Abrosca

According to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security (TDSHS), there will be no repercussions for a Thursday riot foiled by Tennessee State Troopers at the State Capitol. 

“There were no arrests made on Thursday,” TDSHS communications director Wesley Moster told The Tennessee Star Monday. “There are no investigations or criminal charges pending.”

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Metro Nashville Public Schools Offers No Details on Student, Parent Involvement in Capitol Riot

Peter D'Abrosca

Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) did not return a Friday comment request from The Tennessee Star seeking further clarifications about students and parents who were reportedly involved in Thursday’s protest-turned-riot at the Tennessee Capitol building.

WTVF reported Thursday that thousands of parents and students gathered at the Capitol to protest in favor of gun control.

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Nashville District Attorney’s Office Says No Criminal Complaints Filed Against Tennessee Capitol Rioters

Peter D'Abrosca

The office of Nashville District Attorney General Glenn Funk said no state or local criminal investigations are pending stemming from Thursday’s riot at the Tennessee State Capitol.

“I just checked with the folks here,” said Steve Hayslip, a Nashville District Attorney General’s spokesman. “No state or local law enforcement agency has brought any criminal complaint to this office for review.”

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