Tennessee House of Representatives voted to expel two Democratic lawmakers, Justin Jones and Justin Pearson, for participating in an unauthorized protest against gun violence on the chamber floor. Governor Bill Lee has called for a special election to fill the vacant seats, and the Tennessee Three have been invited to the White House to meet with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Rep. Gloria Johnson survived the expulsion vote by one vote.
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A federal appeals court panel has ruled in favor of the Justice Department’s use of an obstruction charge against hundreds of defendants arrested in connection with the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. The ruling affirms the department’s use of the charge and reverses a decision by a Trump appointee, but questions remain about the future of the statute and its impact on the defendants.
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has released a statement in response to a ProPublica report detailing his and his wife's trips with Republican donor Harlan Crow. Congressional Democrats have called for an investigation into the matter, and the Supreme Court has issued new guidelines clarifying the type of gifts justices must disclose publicly. Thomas has said that he accepted the trips as "personal hospitality from close personal friends" and that he will comply with the new guidelines.
On Thursday, the Tennessee House of Representatives voted to expel two Democratic representatives, Justin Jones and Justin Pearson, in response to their participation in a peaceful gun protest. This decision has been met with criticism from both sides of the aisle, sparking a national debate on the issue of gun control and the power of the Republican party to silence dissenting voices. President Joe Biden released a statement condemning the decision, calling it "shocking, undemocratic, and without precedent".
Sheriff Billy Woods of Marion County, Florida has announced the arrest of two juveniles and the search for a third in connection with the shooting deaths of three teenagers. The suspects and victims are believed to have been associated with a criminal gang, and Woods said the suspects left behind a trail of evidence. The investigation is ongoing, with more information to be released as it becomes available.
On Wednesday night, Farmington Police officers responded to a domestic violence call and mistakenly went to the wrong address, resulting in the fatal shooting of homeowner Robert Dotson. Farmington Police Chief Steve Hebbe released a video expressing his condolences and acknowledging the mistake, calling the incident "unbelievably tragic". The New Mexico State Police are currently investigating the shooting.
Tennessee's House of Representatives has been thrust into the national spotlight this week after Republican legislators expelled two young Black lawmakers for their involvement in a protest against gun violence. The proceedings, which took place Thursday afternoon, were met with protests from many who had gathered outside the House chamber, and were accompanied by a heavily edited video of the legislators' actions. This incident has highlighted the growing political divide in Tennessee, and has sparked a national conversation about the power of grassroots movements in American politics, as well as the need for stricter gun control measures.
California dermatologist Dr. Yue Yu has been indicted on four felony counts for allegedly poisoning her husband with liquid drain cleaner in an attempt to kill him. She is currently being held in Orange County Jail with a bail set at $1 million and faces up to nine years in prison if convicted.