Civil rights cosplayer Justin Pearson melts down over Tennessee ‘color-blind’ redistricting

Published May 7, 2026 4:12pm ET | Updated May 7, 2026 4:17pm ET



Tennessee State Rep. Justin Pearson is known for his disingenuously performative political stunts. He took it too far again on Thursday, screaming in the face of state troopers — completely unprovoked — because his state’s redistricting special session didn’t turn out the way he had hoped.

To quote Pearson: “Move the f*** back! Boy! The f*** is wrong with you? You stupid motherf*****!”

Already a print subscriber? Click here to login/register your account

Trusted reporting.Unlimited access.

Subscribe for full access to Washington Examiner coverage, expert political analysis, and subscriber-only journalism.

Get Unlimited Access

Already a member? Log in

Cancel anytime.