Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti praised U.S. District Judge Eli J. Richardson for dismissing the lawsuit filed by State Representative Justin Jones (D-Nashville) over his 2023 expulsion from the Tennessee General Assembly.
In the lawsuit filed against Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville), Jones argued his expulsion from the General Assembly – which occurred after he and two of his Democratic colleagues commandeered the House Floor to demand gun control three days after the March 27 shooting at the Covenant School in Nashville – was an attempt to “silence” him.
Other defendants listed in the case include Tennessee House Chief Sergeant-at-Arms Bobby Trotter, Chief Clerk Tammy Letzler, and Assistant Chief Clerk and Parliamentarian Daniel Hicks.
Jones’ case was dismissed for lack of standing in a ruling issued October 24 by Richardson, who determined the Democrat state representative failed to allege, “‘real and immediate, not conjectural or hypothetical’ injury,” from his expulsion which, “would justify injunctive or declaratory relief.”
✅ Federal court dismisses Justin Jones lawsuit against Tennessee House leadership.
This decision is a clear affirmation of foundational principles that underpin our republican system of government: federalism and separation of powers. Tennessee legislators must be free to…
— TN Attorney General (@AGTennessee) October 30, 2025
Skrmetti said the judge’s ruling is “a clear affirmation of foundational principles that underpin our republican system of government: federalism and separation of powers.”
“Tennessee legislators must be free to debate, enforce 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,” Skrmetti added.
As Richardson found Jones lacked standing to bring the case, his claims against Sexton were dismissed due to the speaker’s sovereign immunity.
“Defendant Sexton and Defendant Hicks are entitled to legislative immunity with respect to their conduct in disciplining Plaintiff. Irrespective of Defendants’ “motive or intent,” this “self-disciplinary power” is protected by legislative immunity,” the ruling reads.
Furthermore, the remaining issues outlined in Jones’ lawsuit were dismissed due to the legislative immunity precedent for actions taken by lawmakers at the Capitol.
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X / Twitter.
Photo “Justin Jones” by Climate Defiance.
