Representative Justin Jones Sues House Speaker Sexton in Federal Court Over Expulsion

Image: Rep. Jones questions House Rules & Sexton’s leadership on August 29th, 2023 Image Credit: capitol.tn.gov

The Tennessee Conservative Staff –

State Representative Justin Jones (D-Nashville-District 52) has filed a federal lawsuit against House Speaker Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville-District 25), alleging that several of Sexton’s actions towards Jones were unconstitutional.

In the lawsuit, Jones accuses Sexton of “disparate racial treatment” and of violating Jones’ first amendment right to the freedom of speech.

Jones’ claims of “disparate racial treatment” stems from several incidents in which Jones claims that he was treated differently from white legislators, specifically regarding his expulsion from the House earlier in the year. Jones says that he was expelled but Representative Gloria Johnson, who is white, was allowed to remain in the legislature even though she “engaged in the exact same speech and protest.”

The lawsuit alleges that this is a violation of the 14^th amendment, citing the clause that states that no state “shall deny any person within its jurisdiction the protection of the laws.”

According to the complaint, “the government denied equal protection to Representative Jones in treating him differently than similarly situated white House members for the same conduct.”

Jones also says he has yet to be reinstated to his previous committee assignments, even though Johnson was allowed to return to hers.

The lawsuit also claims that Jones was denied his right to “speak and to be heard” after House Republicans voted to silence him during the legislature’s special session in August. Sexton had called Jones out of order twice, saying that he got off of the current topic, which was against the new rules that the House adopted for the special session.

Jones had previously spoke out against the new rules, stating that they were an attempt to limit what members could say.

Jones alleges that this was a violation of his first amendment rights and that the new changes to the “Rules of Order of the Tennessee House of Representatives violate the US and Tennessee Constitutions.”

In a Tuesday press release, Jones says he is bringing the lawsuit against Sexton “to hold him accountable for his anti-democratic and unconstitutional actions.”

“No one is above the law, including Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton,” Jones said in a statement.

The suit also names state House chief clerk Tammy Letzler, state House Chief Sergeant at Arms Bobby Trotter, and parliamentarian Daniel Hicks as co-defendants for their role in carrying out instructions given by Sexton.