Tennessee Lawmakers, Mirroring Trump Agenda, Pass Bills on Immigration and School Vouchers
New York TimesJAN 20
Tennessee Passes Strict Immigration Bill
Above: Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee speaks during the Republican National Convention (RNC) on July 16, 2024. Image copyright: Eva Marie Uzcategui/Contributor/Bloomberg via Getty Images
The Spin
Republican narrative
Democrats' attempts to cast this bill in a negative light are nothing more than them putting politics over public safety. The bane of sanctuary cities is now prohibited and there are now enforceable punishments for those who attempt to establish them in Tennessee.
Democratic narrative
This unconstitutional bill represents government overreach and is a smack in the face to the rule of law. Criminalizing elected officials' votes sets a dangerous precedent and smells of authoritarianism. This isn't what the people of Tennessee voted for and it won't make them any safer.