Lawmakers get physical as special session comes to a close

When the Tennessee House adjourned for the end of session Tuesday, there was a lot of pushing and shoving between lawmakers.

 As soon as House Speaker Cameron Sexton gaveled to adjourn the meeting, Reps. Justin Jones and Justin J. Pearson held up signs reading “Protect Kids Not Guns.” As Sexton came down from the dais, Pearson approached him, and they made contact.

Session is over but not without outrage pic.twitter.com/IXPg3H5eG0

— Kelsey Beyeler (@kelsey_beyeler) August 29, 2023

The situation has now turned into a he said, he said. Here’s Sexton’s version of events:

“I didn’t even look back to see if anybody was there, because I didn’t feel anybody there,” said Sexton. “But what I can tell you, what I did feel, is: As I turned and when I came back, Rep. Pearson came up and bumped me on my shoulder and bumped me to my left.”

But Pearson believes Sexton bumped into him on purpose.

“As he walked by me, he actually shoved his arm into me and pushed me into the clerk’s desk,” Pearson said.

The incident happened quickly, but there was a lot of shouting from guests in the gallery and between members on the floor.

For now, Sexton says he’s moving forward from it.

⁦@CSexton25⁩ explains what took place after he walked down from the dais. pic.twitter.com/x9FccWhBXD

— Blaise L Gainey (@BlaiseGainey) August 29, 2023