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Democratic President Joe Biden called out Tennessee Republicans for expelling two Democratic lawmakers for participating in a gun safety protest in the wake of last month's mass shooting at Nashville's Covenant School in which three adults and three children died.
In a tweet, Biden wrote:
"Three kids and three officials gunned down in yet another mass shooting. And what are GOP officials focused on?"
"Punishing lawmakers who joined thousands of peaceful protesters calling for action. It's shocking, undemocratic, and without precedent."
You can see the tweet below.
\u201cThree kids and three officials gunned down in yet another mass shooting.\n\nAnd what are GOP officials focused on?\n\nPunishing lawmakers who joined thousands of peaceful protesters calling for action.\n\nIt's shocking, undemocratic, and without precedent.\u201d— President Biden (@President Biden) 1680819084
Earlier, the Republican-controlled Tennessee House voted to expel two Democratic lawmakers, Representatives Justin Jones and Justin Pearson, for their participation in a recent protest on the House floor against gun violence.
The lawmakers were among a group of legislators who joined the protest calling for stricter gun laws, but only two were expelled. Representative Gloria Johnson, who also participated in the demonstration, survived her vote.
Many praised Biden for speaking out and condemned the actions of Tennessee Republicans.
\u201c@POTUS Thank you. But please do more. Citizens in states like Florida and Tennessee need you to step up and help against the rise of fascism. Words matter, but actions speak louder.\u201d— President Biden (@President Biden) 1680819084
\u201c@POTUS Republicans hate free speech.\u201d— President Biden (@President Biden) 1680819084
\u201cAs long as GOP continues to behave in shocking and undemocratic ways, young people and independents will continue to unite with Democrats! #wtpBLUE https://t.co/5Y2MLwbvrF\u201d— Pat Fuller Defender of the Constitution (@Pat Fuller Defender of the Constitution) 1680872868
\u201cThe GOP doesn't believe that legislation can prevent gun violence, so they want to legislate to prevent free speech, sexual orientation, cultural change, religion, women's health, and cover ups of Trump crimes. They don't think young people will notice.\u201d— Honest Abe - Biden/Kamala (@Honest Abe - Biden/Kamala) 1680805018
\u201c@JoeBiden It is time to stand up to our country\u2019s largest lobby.\u201d— Joe Biden (@Joe Biden) 1680876302
\u201c@JoeBiden This is disgusting and dangerous. Everyone has the right to protest in a peaceful manner and should be able to do so without repercussions.\u201d— Joe Biden (@Joe Biden) 1680876302
\u201c@JoeBiden Our youth is coming out to protest these terrible actions, now if we can only get them registered & out to vote. Our democracy may depend on them. We thank them for taking a stand, they need to be acknowledged and not just in Tennessee.\u201d— Joe Biden (@Joe Biden) 1680876302
\u201c@JoeBiden Thank you for speaking up. #TennesseeThree\u201d— Joe Biden (@Joe Biden) 1680876302
\u201c@JoeBiden It's one of the greatest gifts they've ever given the Democratic party in Tennessee because now, the #TennesseeThree have an international platform and a voice. They will win in their districts again and again. Change is coming to TN @brotherjones_ @VoteGloriaJ @Justinjpearson\u201d— Joe Biden (@Joe Biden) 1680876302
The vote has been met with widespread criticism from Democrats, who have called it undemocratic and even fascist.
Connecticut Democratic Senator Chris Murphy—a strong advocate for gun reform since the 2012 Sandy Hook shooting—said that "kids in Nashville were just trying to get a bill passed to stop school shootings" and suggested that Republicans were all too happy to make excuses for insurrectionists who participated in the Capitol riot of January 6, 2021.
Biden used the opportunity to once again call on Congress and state officials to pass a ban on assault weapons and high capacity magazines, as well as other gun safety reforms, such as requiring safe storage of firearms and universal background checks for every gun purchase.
In a longer statement, he criticized Republicans for punishing their Democratic colleagues who "stood in solidarity with students and families and helped lift their voices."
He stressed that a majority of Americans "want lawmakers to act on commonsense gun safety reforms that we know will save lives" while "Republican officials across America double down on dangerous bills that make our schools, places of worship, and communities less safe."