Tenn. Rep. Pearson Yells Profanities at Troopers After Redistricting Vote

Tennessee State Representative Justin Pearson confronted Tennessee Highway Patrol troopers with profanity-laced shouts on the floor of the state House chamber Thursday, moments after lawmakers approved a new congressional redistricting map that eliminates the state's sole Democratic-held district.

The incident occurred amid chaotic protests following the House's passage of the map, which restructures Tennessee's nine U.S. House districts. Video footage captured Pearson yelling "Move the f**k back! Boy! The f**k is wrong with you?! You stupid motherf**ker!" at a trooper as officers worked to clear the public gallery. Pearson appeared to intervene while troopers escorted his brother, KeShaun Pearson, who was among demonstrators refusing to leave and was later taken into custody. No arrests or injuries involving the lawmaker were reported, and no formal disciplinary actions have been announced.

House Speaker Cameron Sexton had ordered the gallery cleared after protesters disrupted proceedings with chants, air horns, signs, parachutes thrown from above, and a pulled fire alarm. The vote largely followed party lines, though a few Republicans opposed or abstained. Republican Governor...