NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — More than two years after he filed it, State Rep. Justin Jones' lawsuit against Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton has been dismissed by a federal judge.

Jones (D-Nashville) sued over his April 2023 expulsion from the Tennessee House of Representatives, calling the move "unconstitutional and illegal."

Jones and fellow Democratic Rep. Justin Pearson of Memphis were expelled from the Tennessee General Assembly during an April 6 session. Jones, Pearson, and Knoxville Democratic State Rep. Gloria Johnson—dubbed the Tennessee 3—all faced expulsion hearings after they walked up to the well of the House, violating chamber rules.

Johnson survived her expulsion vote after Jones and Pearson were formally expelled.

Jones and Pearson were subsequently appointed back to their seats by the Metro Nashville and Shelby County legislative bodies, respectively. They then won their seats back in landslide votes during a special election in August of that year.

In October of 2023, Jones sued Sexton and other Republican lawmakers in federal court, claiming “unconstitutional” censorship of him and the views of those he represents.

“Time and again over the past year Defendants have blocked Representative Jones from expressing views on critical issues that he was elected to express, ensuring that viewpoints dissenting from their own are silenced, neither heard nor spoken,” Jones’ complaint read. “This censorship violates the constitutions of Tennessee and of the United States and is an anathema to a free, democratic society.”

U.S. District Judge Eli J. Richardson dismissed Jones' claims on Friday, Oct. 24, saying Sexton and other lawmakers were entitled to "legislative immunity with respect to their conduct in disciplining" Jones. All six claims were dismissed in their entirety, per the order.

Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti celebrated the ruling, saying it "upholds the independence of Tennessee's legislative branch." He added the lawsuit "involved years of onerous litigation at taxpayer expense."

"This decision is a clear affirmation of foundational principles that underpin our republican system of government: federalism and separation of powers," Skrmetti said in a statement. "Tennessee legislators must be free to debate, enfoce legislative rules, and conduct internal affairs without the constant threat of federal litigation. This ruling protects not just these defendants, but the ability of elected representatives from across Tennessee to get their work done and serve their constituents."

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/tennessee-politics/federal-judge-dismisses-tennessee-3-rep-justin-jones-lawsuit-against-tn-house-speaker/