US legislators dismissed after protesting gun control

The Tennessee House of Representatives voted on Thursday to expel two Democratic lawmakers, Justin Jones and Justin Pearson, after they were accused of breaching rules of conduct by holding a gun-control protest on the floor of the chamber. President Joe Biden was quick to criticize the move, describing it as “undemocratic.” Protesters supporting the expelled lawmakers chanted “shame on you” and “fascists!” from the House gallery after the votes were counted. The incident resulted in resolutions of expulsion being filed against the lawmakers for “knowingly and intentionally bring[ing] disorder and dishonor” to the legislature. President Biden's statement described the removal of the two lawmakers as “shocking, undemocratic, and without precedent.” He accused the Republicans of failing to meaningfully discuss the issue of gun violence and claimed they were instead focusing on going after their Democratic colleagues.