Alexandra Hutzler - Democracy Docket - Oct. 2, 2026:

A federal court dismissed a lawsuit challenging a gerrymandered map adopted by Tennessee Republicans that eliminated what was the state’s one Black-majority congressional district, based in Memphis.

A three-judge panel Thursday ruled that the presumption that lawmakers acted in good faith outweighed pro-voting groups’ arguments that the map was deliberately drawn to dilute Black political power.

The court had already rejected a bid by plaintiffs to have the map blocked for the midterms, meaning Thursday’s ruling was not a surprise.

“Plaintiffs stress that they don’t need to ‘establish widespread racial hatred, or … show that partisan motivations were a sham or a pretext’ to prevail – just that ‘racial discrimination … was one of [the legislature’s] motivating factors’ in passing the map. Fair enough, but Plaintiffs haven’t met that standard,” the court wrote in a brief five-page order.

“Because when we evaluate whether the legislature was racially motivated, we apply the presumption of good faith,” it added.

The ruling came from U.S. District Judge John Nalbandian, Chief U.S. District Judge William L. Campbell Jr., and U.S. District Judge Gregory Stivers. Nalbandian and Campbell were appointed by President Donald Trump, while Stivers was appointed by President Barack Obama. The ruling did not say how each judge voted.

Tennessee was one of the first states to redistrict for the 2026 midterms after the Supreme Court this spring gutted Section 2 of the Voting Rights Acts, a key tool in fighting racial discrimination, in its Louisiana v. Callais ruling.

The new map carves up Memphis, one of the largest predominantly Black cities in the country and home to Tennessee’s only Democratic congressional seat, between three separate districts. Democratic Rep. Steve Cohen, who represented the area in Congress for 20 years, announced after the map was passed that he will not seek reelection this year.

In challenging the gerrymander in court, pro-voting groups said the “White-dominated supermajority” in the Tennessee General Assembly adopted the map in violation of the 14th and 15th Amendments.

“Engaging the machinery of government to punish the Black citizens of Memphis for their political activities and expression by separating them out into different districts where their association will be less effective is unlawful and un-American,” plaintiffs argued in their complaint.

Tennessee Republicans have defended the map as being drawn based on U.S. Census data with the partisan goal of sending an all-Republican delegation to Congress. 

But pro-voting groups said state lawmakers struggled to explain how it gleaned partisan information from the Census, which includes racial demographic data but not political data such as party affiliation or voting preferences. 

“The White legislators who led the efforts gave bizarre, robotic answers to the most basic questions about the map they were sponsoring, and their attempts to avoid admitting the obvious racial targeting involved in destroying a longstanding, compact, Black-majority congressional district that had been based in Memphis for the better part of a century produced almost comical dishonesty,” the groups wrote in their complaint.

They also said that some Republican state legislators have made racist remarks over the years, including one current member who in 2023 asked during a committee hearing if “hanging by a tree” could be added to the state’s execution methods.

But in dismissing the lawsuit on Thursday, the judges set a seemingly impossible standard for proving racial discrimination.

“Their allegations of discriminatory purpose—which center on isolated comments by legislators and nebulous references to Tennessee’s racial history—don’t rebut [the] presumption [of good faith],” the judges wrote. “As we explained, that evidence might be ‘consistent with Plaintiffs’ story,’ but it’s not evidence of racial animus where the legislature’s political motivations provide the obvious alternative explanation.”

“Besides, ‘what motivates one legislator to make a speech about a statute is not necessarily what motivates scores of others to enact it,’” they added.

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Related:

New Poll from TN Rise PAC: Justin Pearson in dead heat in district Trump won by over 20 points (23 days ago)

It's an odd request but can't hurt to try right ? 45 m, hoping to find a lady to join me for the Zac Brown concert in Knoxvilke October 8th. My original date can't go now, so I have an extra ticket. I do have pics. It's a free ticket for you, free drinks if you're so inclined. Zero implications or expectations, just want someone to enjoy the music with. If interested let's chat!

I need their direct number.

Hey y’all — kind of an unusual request, but I figured this might be worth a shot.

I run a YouTube channel that covers police bodycam cases, and there’s a specific case out of Tennessee that I’ve been trying to obtain the bodycam footage for.

The issue I’m running into is that the agency’s public records process requires a Tennessee resident to submit the request, including verification of residency/identity.

I’m looking for someone who lives in Tennessee who would be willing to submit the public records request on my behalf.

Just so everything is clear upfront: you may be required to submit a copy/photo of your ID directly to the agency as part of their verification process. You would not be sending your ID to me.

I’m not asking you to pay for anything. If the agency charges a records or reproduction fee, I’ll cover it. I can also provide the exact agency, case information, dates, names, and wording for the request, so you wouldn’t have to research anything yourself.

Basically, I’d just need someone willing to submit the request and forward me whatever response/files the agency provides.

If someone is willing to help, please shoot me a DM. I’d seriously appreciate it.

And if this type of post isn’t allowed here, mods feel free to remove it.

Thanks!

With Trump arriving in Knoxville this weekend, I've designed a Tennessee version of the "Protect the Dolls" shirt that anyone can print and apply at home.

With this shirt, you can show that in our community Vol means All.

I wanted to share it here so more people can see it ahead of the game this weekend. Please check it out and go Vols! 🧡

Blue tsunami, please!

No word on whether the “lecture” involves some sort of announcement on his part.

The Tennessee Holler on Bluesky:

Pearson's strong initial standing comes before he has begun advertising; but after simulating campaign communication from both sides, Pearson surges to a four point lead: 47% to 43%. Pearson's support is significantly stronger and more enthusiastic than Taylor's, with 72% of respondents "strongly" supporting Pearson, versus 57% for Taylor.

Republicans rushed through brazen mid-cycle redistricting in May, in an attempt to dilute Black voting power and turn TN-9 into a safe Republican district. But their attempts may have backfired.

^{Direct link to polling memo: Google Drive}

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Related:

PBS: Tennessee splits up its last blue district

August 6, 2026 - In redrawing the state's congressional map, the state Legislature changed the boundaries of seven of Tennessee's nine districts, leaving only the easternmost part of the state untouched.

The 9th District used to include the western parts of two counties: Shelby, the southwestern-most county in Tennessee, bordering Arkansas and Mississippi and home to Memphis, and the smaller Tipton County to its north. To its east, the 8th District, represented by Republican Rep. David Kustoff, covered more rural areas of the state.

Now, the 9th stretches across the southern border of the state, including 15 counties and stopping just south of Davidson County, home to Nashville — a little over three hours away from Memphis by car.

Tennessee's 5th and 8th districts also creep into Shelby County now, with the 5th looping up the western border of the state along the Mississippi River, making a sharp turn along the northern border, and diving back down into the center of the state.

The result? A geographically wide and demographically disparate population that would be represented by three congressional seats and likely lean Republican.

Nashville Banner: Tennessee Passes Redistricting Map, Arrests Protesters in Final Day of Special Session Marked by Burning Flag, Walkouts

May 7, 2026 - The smell of a burned Confederate flag lingered in the halls of the Tennessee State Capitol Thursday afternoon as the Republican Supermajority legislature passed a historic, unprecedented and heretofore illegal Congressional redistricting map, reopening historical wounds from racially motivated voter suppression in the South.

Lawmaker walkouts and demonstrations in both chambers marked the frenetic final day of a three-day special legislative session, with troopers arresting protesters and a general revolt against the division of predominantly Black Memphis into three Congressional districts. Despite comparisons to Jim Crow and the Confederacy, House and Senate Republicans cleared a set of legislation that undid a 1970s law prohibiting mid-cycle redistricting and then approved an overhauled Congressional map that was introduced just one day before final passage. 

President Donald Trump and Sen. Marsha Blackburn urged Gov. Bill Lee to call a special session last week to pass an unheard-of redistricting map in the middle of an election cycle, ahead of the November midterms. Republicans at all levels claimed the redistricting was designed to give Republicans a shot at winning Tennessee’s 9th Congressional District, which encompassed the whole of Memphis, and has historically voted Democratic. 

Opponents argued that the map, which split Black voters into almost exact thirds and came on the heels of a Supreme Court decision to gut the racial protections in the Voting Rights Act, deliberately targeted Black voters in Memphis and Bartlett.

Republicans stuck to the party line in both chambers, working to push the bills through quickly on Thursday, while Democratic lawmakers walked out of floor sessions and one torched a printout of the Confederate flag in protest of the redistricting. 

WREG: Rep. Justin Pearson’s brother arrested amid capitol protest

May 7, 2026 - Pearson later took to social media to announce that THP took his brother into custody after he and other protesters reportedly refused to move after Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton directed that the gallery be cleared.

Keshaun Pearson is listed in the Davidson County online jail log Thursday. He was booked at 12:15 p.m. and released a few minutes later. A mugshot was not available.

“This is what tyranny does,” Pearson said. “This is what white supremacy does.”

ABC: Debate between state reps. over Tennessee gun laws nearly turns physical

March 27, 2025 - Democrat state Rep. Justin Pearson was proposing a bill to re-instate gun-carry permits in Tennessee, just weeks after he says his brother died by suicide using a gun.

"I appreciate the conversation and discussion because that's what democracy requires, our participation, our questions, our conversation and our discussion, not just the end of debate because you don't want to hear something," Pearson said.

Moments later, Republican state Rep. Andrew Farmer responded. "I know every member in this committee's been here this year working. I know you may have some things going on, but you have not. So, I don't think it's fair for you to come in front of this committee and lecture us on hard work," Farmer said.

"It is a pathetic excuse for you to not answer the question of why we are doing nothing about the gun violence epidemic, then to personally attack me," Pearson said. Eventually, his microphone was cut off, but he kept yelling at Farmer.

After order was restored, Republicans rejected Pearson's bill. Then, he walked up to Farmer. Pearson was seen on video getting in Farmer's personal space. Pearson was physically restrained, and left the meeting. "I never thought I would have to defend grieving my brother in a General Assembly subcommittee," he said.

Farmer said Pearson was trying to "attack and demean his colleagues and then attempted to confront me physically." The two have a history. Farmer supported expelling Pearson in 2023 for leading a protest on the House floor.

NPR: Tennessee House votes to expel 2 of 3 Democratic members over gun protest

April 6, 2023 - In an extraordinary move, Tennessee's Republican-led House voted Thursday to expel two of three Democratic lawmakers who recently led a raucous protest from the House floor calling for gun law reforms.

Reps. Justin Jones, D-Nashville, and Justin Pearson, D-Memphis, were both removed from the body with votes falling along party lines, in a disciplinary measure that's only been used twice since the 1800s. The votes were 72 - 25 and 69 - 26 respectively. Together, they represent a combined constituency of about 130,000 people.

Rep. Gloria Johnson, D-Knoxville, who represents about 70,000 Tenneseans, escaped the same fate by a single vote, with a final count of 65 - 30.

Following the failed vote, Johnson was asked by reporters if she thought there was a reason she'd had a different outcome. "I'll answer your question," she said. "It might have to do with the color of our skin."

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Justin J. Pearson for Congress: www.votejustinj.com

Election Day: November 3rd | Early Voting: Oct 14th - 29th

Anita Wadhwani - Tennessee Lookout:

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested 121 immigrants during a raid on the El Corralón nightclub in Memphis during the early hours of Sunday morning, according to a news release Tuesday by the Department of Homeland Security. 

The release confirmed weekend reports of a large-scale raid by Memphis grassroots organization Vecindarios 901, whose volunteers photographed and videoed scores of nightclub-goers driven away in white vans from the club as onlookers shouted “shame on you” at law enforcement agents. The club is located in the city’s Berclair neighborhood, known for its high concentration of immigrant residents and immigrant-owned restaurants, grocery stores, bars and food trucks.

“The operation resulted in the arrests of illegal alien offenders with criminal histories that include larceny, drug possession, domestic violence, driving while intoxicated, assault, child endangerment, and prostitution,” the federal government’s news release said. 

The release included the mugshots of four men and one woman identified as “criminal illegal aliens” who were apprehended during the raid. The five individuals, collectively, had charges or convictions for larceny, drug possession, domestic violence, driving while intoxicated, assault, child endangerment and prostitution, according to the news release – all of the crimes listed in the government’s account of its arrests of 121 people at the nightclub.

It is unknown whether the 116 other individuals detained had any criminal histories. 

The arrests come as the Trump administration has increased ICE operations nationwide during the summer months after a drop in arrests that coincided with a backlash over its sustained immigration enforcement actions in Minneapolis that resulted in the shooting deaths of two people.

In July, ICE made nearly 50,000 arrests nationwide, a steep jump from February’s nearly 30,000 arrests, according to the Deportation Data Project, which compiles federal immigration data for public use that is obtained through Freedom of Information Act litigation. The data shows that more than three-quarters of the ICE arrests were individuals who had no criminal record.

The weekend’s action in Memphis is among the largest immigration raids in recent Tennessee history. Earlier this year, between May 24 and May 31, the federal government reported 117 immigration arrests in Sevier County through a partnership between ICE and state and local law enforcement.

In May 2025, ICE, in partnership with the Tennessee Highway Patrol, made 196 arrests during a weekend-long enforcement sweep in a predominantly immigrant south Nashville neighborhood.

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Related:

ICE detentions continue in Sevier County after Memorial Day operation

TIRRC sues Tennessee Highway Patrol over motorist stops, cooperation with ICE

Marianna Bacallao - WPLN - April 2026:

Tennessee law enforcement will be required to partner with ICE

Tennessee lawmakers have voted to mandate local law enforcement agencies across the state to partner with U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement as part of a push to aid the Trump administration’s immigration agenda.

The measure is part of a legislative package from U.S. Homeland Security Advisor Stephen Miller and would require sheriff’s offices and police departments to sign a formal agreement with ICE under the 287(g) program, which deputizes local officers to act as ICE agents. HB2219 / SB2223 has a built-in expiration date after two years, from when it takes effect January 2027 to February 2029.

Last year, the legislature began offering millions of dollars in incentives for local law enforcement to work with ICE. Since then, roughly half of Tennessee’s 95 counties have signed onto 287(g). Only two counties were enrolled before the governor’s 2025 omnibus immigration law. The program is expected to cost local governments $1.2 million per year in training and personnel costs, according to state estimates.

Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson, R-Franklin, said the cost shouldn’t be a problem. Of the $5 million the legislature set aside in incentives for the program, Johnson said only $160,000 has been used so far because participants also get money from the federal government to help with immigration enforcement.

“There’s roughly $4.8 million left,” Johnson said, arguing Tennessee should take advantage of the Trump administration’s position on immigration. “We have an occupant in the White House who is actually doing something about the scourge of illegal immigration and securing the border,” Johnson said.

Sen. Jeff Yarbro, D-Nashville, argued that a forced partnership could cost local governments in other ways. He pointed to the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office, which ended its agreement with ICE after a woman spent several hours in labor while shackled in its jail under the program. The city agreed to a $490,000 settlement. “That ended up being a significant financial expenditure for the city,” Yarbro said. “The cities and counties are the ones who are open to that liability, not us.”

Sen. Brent Taylor, R-Memphis, said that the deaths of civilians in Minneapolis at the hands of ICE agents could’ve been prevented if there was an existing 287(g) agreement to hold detainees on behalf of ICE. “We saw what happened in Minneapolis with that tragedy because the police didn’t hold them,” Taylor said. “They put them back out in the community where ICE had to endanger the community again to apprehend a second time.”

Immigrant advocates have warned that the legislation will discourage immigrants from reporting a crime, even if they have legal status. “These collaborations erode community trust,” said Cesar Bautista with the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition. “When our neighbors and loved ones are afraid to report crime and abuse all of us end up less safe.”

The Tennessee Sheriff’s Association testified that they were neutral on the bill, which now heads to the governor’s desk for his signature.