“Political Terrorism Will Not Be Tolerated”: Tennessee Democrats Stripped of Committee Posts After Capitol Chaos, Attacks on Police

What Democrats and media allies dismissed – included blocking the House floor, coordinating disruptions with activists in the gallery, using prohibited noisemakers and props, and confrontations with police inside the Tennessee Capitol – Speaker Cameron Sexton responded by removing Democrat caucus members from nearly all standing committees, declaring that “political terrorism will not be tolerated” in Tennessee.

It was anything but a mere ‘protest.’

Tennessee’s Speaker of the House just removed elected Democrats from ALL committees due to their disruptive, disrespectful behavior during the session to redraw Tennessee’s congressional map.

NOW: Tennessee State Rep. Justin Pearson (D) gets CAUGHT on camera INTIMIDATING State Troopers and getting in their FACE, because he was so angry that 2026 redistricting is passing

The thug gets in his face: “MOVE THE F*CK BACK! BOY!! The f*ck is wrong wichu?! You stupid… pic.twitter.com/x8kXLS8LEM

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) May 7, 2026

Sean Davis at the Federalist: Notice has just been given to Democrats in the Tennessee House that all members of the Democrat Caucus are being removed from all standing committees and subcommittees as a result of their behavior in the statehouse during the redistricting debates last week, which included setting fires inside the Capitol and attacking law enforcement. In the state of Tennessee, political terrorism will not be tolerated. National Republicans take note that this is how you exercise power (Davis).

BREAKING: Notice has just been given to Democrats in the Tennessee House that all members of the Democrat Caucus are being removed from all standing committees and subcommittees as a result of their behavior in the statehouse during the redistricting debates last week, which… pic.twitter.com/ZhJpMiO7RQ

— Sean Davis (@seanmdav) May 12, 2026

JUST IN — FAFO: Tennessee Speaker of the House REMOVES Democrat lawmakers from *ALL* committee assignments who acted like thugs and trash when the legislature passed redistricting

GREAT! Now expel Rep. Justin Pearson (D), who intimidated a police officer. Pearson frankly… pic.twitter.com/ruAyToHzOu

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) May 12, 2026

Cameron Sexton, Tennessee Speaker of the House summarizes their effort to sow chaos in the democratic process:

Interlocking arms in the well of the House

• Blocking aisles on the House Floor

• Instigating and encouraging disruptions of the legislative process in coordination with paid protesters and attendees in the gallery, including the distribution of earplugs to a member of your caucus

• The use of prohibited props and noisemakers on the House Floor

• Demonstrating a lack of respect toward fellow members seeking recognition to speak on legislation; and

• Flagrant disregard for the Permanent Rules of Order of the House

Members of the Democratic Caucus will receive individual letters removing them from all standing committees and subcommittees of the House, except where membership is required pursuant to Rule 65 of the House Rules (Davis).