A Tennessee Democrat decided the best way to defend democracy was to scream “what the f*** is wrong with you” and “you stupid motherf****r” at state troopers who were doing their jobs clearing activists from the Capitol. Just another Thursday in the party of civility and decorum.
Remember when Democrats spent four years lecturing us about “norms” and “respect for institutions”? Good times.
Rep. Justin Pearson, the Democrat from Memphis who already made national news for climbing on his desk like a caffeinated toddler during a redistricting vote, wasn’t the only member of his caucus who completely lost it on Thursday. As reported by CNSNews, video captured shows a vulgar confrontation between a Democratic lawmaker and Tennessee Highway Patrol officers, including Lt. Bill Miller, who were clearing activists that had disrupted the House session.
The activists had thrown parachutes from the House of Representatives gallery and reportedly triggered a fire alarm — because nothing says “peaceful protest” like simulated airborne debris raining down on a legislative chamber. Three individuals were taken into custody for disrupting the session of the House of Representatives.
So what were the troopers supposed to do? Let the activists redecorate the chamber? Hand them more parachutes? The officers were clearing a disruption from a state Capitol building, which is literally their job description. And for doing that job, they got an f-bomb-laden tirade from a sitting member of the Tennessee legislature.
This wasn’t some isolated outburst. This happened in the same session where Rep. Pearson turned the Tennessee House floor into his personal jungle gym. The whole Democratic caucus went feral — one member climbing furniture, another cursing out law enforcement. All because the Republican majority passed a congressional redistricting bill that both the House and Senate approved and Governor Bill Lee signed into law.
That’s it. A redistricting bill. A legal vote. A constitutionally authorized process overseen by House Speaker Cameron Sexton. And the Democratic response was desk-climbing, parachute-throwing, fire-alarm-pulling, and screaming profanities at state troopers.
Let’s be very clear about what happened here. Law enforcement officers showed up to restore order after activists physically disrupted a legislative session. A Democrat lawmaker responded by calling those officers stupid and dropping f-bombs in their faces. This is the same party that puts “Back the Blue” bumper stickers in scare quotes and then acts shocked — shocked! — when nobody takes their lectures about January 6th seriously.
The redistricting map is expected to favor Republicans, which apparently justifies any behavior up to and including verbally assaulting the men and women in uniform who protect the very building these legislators work in. The bill passed. The governor signed it. Democracy functioned exactly as designed.
But sure, tell us more about how we’re the threat to democratic norms. The party that spent years demanding we “trust the process” just threw parachutes from a gallery and cursed out cops because they didn’t like the outcome of a vote.
At least they’re consistent. Consistently unhinged.