White Tennessee state Republicans fought over whether to expel a white Democrat lawmaker, Rep. Gloria Johnson, after quickly expelling Black Democrat lawmakers Reps. Justin Jones and Justin Pearson in leaked audio published by The Tennessee Holler.
The Tennessean reports that Republican white lawmaker Rep. Jason Zachary was furious at Reps. Jody Barrett and Bryan Terry for voting against Rep. Johnson’s expulsion:
House Majority Whip Johnny Garrett was furious at Barrett for requesting to ask questions of Johnson: “as if that would have made a difference.” Garrett practically admitted the fix was in:
Barrett defended his vote, arguing that Republicans had failed to prove claims against Johnson:
Republican Rep. Scott Cepicky admitted people had to vote against had to vote for what they thought was wrong because of the Republican Party: