KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — A Republican representative from East Tennessee shared why he voted to expel Reps. Justin Jones and Justin J. Pearson but not Rep. Gloria Johnson.

Amid social media commentary and reports suggesting why Rep. Gloria Johnson was not expelled while two Black representatives were expelled, Rep. Lowell Russell (R-Vonore) said he voted not to expel Johnson because she “did not participate to the extent that Jones and Pearson did.”

Russell issued a statement on Friday explaining his vote by saying that all three representatives violated house rules and their conduct was unacceptable, and had all three of them participated the same, he would have voted to expel all three.

“Either Jones or Pearson smuggled a bullhorn into the chamber. The two used that bullhorn to shout and scream and incite the crowd to chant “no action, no peace”. The video showed Johnson did not appear to do anything other than stand near the Well and move her lips,” he said in the statement.

A release on the expulsions hearings against three Tennessee State Representatives from Representative Lowell Russell reads: Press Release - Expulsions On Thursday, April 6, 2023, the Tennessee House of Representatives debated wether or not to expell three members. Members Justin Jones, Gloria Johnson, and Justin Pearson disrupted the House Camber on Tuesday, March 30, 2023. After careful consideration of all three resolutions, I voted to expel Justin Jones and Justin Pearson. All three violated House rules and each of their individual conduct was unacceptable. It was obvious in the video recording and during discussion that Gloria Johnson did not participate to the extent that Jones and Pearson did. Either Jones or Pearson smuggled a bullhonrn into the Chamber. The two used that bullhorn to shout and scream and incite the crowd to chant "no action, no peace". The video showed Johnson did not appear to do anything other than stand near the Well and mover her lips. While Johnson needs to be censored for her unacceptable conduct that day, the evidence presented did not warrant her expulsion. Had all three participated the same, I would have voted to expel all three. The whole week we were all upset over the Covenant School shooting. As a state we must look at better wats to prevent such killings. However, the way those three went about addressing the murders was not an effective approach to prevent future murders. All three were elected legislators that can file bills and pass laws to address any concerns they have. Instead, they chose to make that day about themselves instead of working with other legislators to be effective in their intent. Signed Lowell Russell State Representative 21st Legislative District
The image of Rep. Russell’s statement shared with WATE.

The video referenced in Russell’s statement is the video presented to the House at the beginning of the expulsion hearings showing Johnson, Jones, and Pearson on the house floor. Although it was debated if the video was taken before or after recess was called, and speaking outside of the house.

There was heated debate between representatives about if the video should have been allowed to be played, as the motion to play it did not clearly explain what the video was or if it had been edited. An additional argument against the video being played was that the representatives who were facing expulsion and House leadership had not been allowed to view it first. When the vote was taken, the motion to play the video passed, and the video was viewed on the house floor.

Lowell concluded the statement explaining that Tennessee needs to look for better ways to prevent killings, like the Covenant School shooting, but the process must be approached by legislators in a better way.

“The way those three went about addressing the murders was not an effective approach to prevent future murders. All three were elected legislators that can file bills and pass laws to address any concerns they have. Instead, they chose to make that day about themselves instead of working with other legislators to be effective in their intent.” Lowell said in the statement.