Biden Welcomes Tennessee Three to Oval Office to Thank Them for Standing Up for Gun Reform

Washington — President Joe Biden welcomed three Tennessee lawmakers to the Oval Office on Monday to thank them for “standing up” after they faced expulsion for participating in gun control protests at their statehouse.

The three lawmakers, Rep. Justin Pearson, Rep. Justin Jones and Rep. Gloria Johnson, have become known as the “Tennessee Three” and have been praised by Democrats for their courage.

Vice President Kamala Harris was also present at the meeting, where Biden described the expulsion votes as “shocking” and “undemocratic.”

“You’re standing up for our kids, you’re standing up for our communities,” Biden told the lawmakers. “Nothing is guaranteed about our democracy — every generation has to fight for it.”

The meeting comes as Biden is pushing for gun reform in the wake of a series of mass shootings across the country. He has called for a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, as well as universal background checks for gun purchases.

The Tennessee Three have become symbols of the fight for gun reform, and their meeting with Biden is seen as a sign of the president’s commitment to the issue.

“We are so grateful for the president’s support and for his commitment to gun safety reform,” said Rep. Johnson. “We hope that our story will inspire others to stand up and fight for what is right.”