Tennessee senator announces ouster plan for DA Mulroy

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) – Senator Brent Taylor laid out his plan to oust the Shelby County District Attorney from his position on Monday.

This comes after Taylor and Tennessee Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton expressed concerns about a diversion program DA Steve Mulroy announced last week.

Mulroy walked back on that plan Monday. According to him, the program would have used a rehabilitative approach for nonviolent offenders charged with possession of a firearm.

Objections to Mulroy’s way of handling criminals are not new, but after the announcement of the diversion program, lawmakers shared more of their opposition to the Shelby County DA.

Speaker Sexton said, “His actions will make Memphis even more unsafe.”

Taylor said the program is not only “nonsensical, but it is dangerous.”

Although he has since rescinded the idea, Sen. Taylor and Speaker Sexton say they are still considering ways to remove Mulroy from his position as district attorney.

“This ouster resolution was never about the diversion program, about whether or not convicted felons should have access to firearms, it was never about that,” said Sen. Taylor. “It was about the DA’s attempt to redefine what crime and punishment is in this state.”

Although the program is no more according to Mulroy, Taylor said he still plans to file an ouster resolution in November, immediately after the November election. He said he has to wait because resolutions cannot be filed for the next General Assembly until then.

Taylor said it would take 22 votes in the Senate and 66 votes in the House of Representatives to remove Mulroy from office.

“There will be committee hearings. DA Mulroy will have due process. He will have an opportunity to come to the General Assembly and answer the charges that will be in the resolution and to defend himself,” he said in a press conference Monday afternoon.

If he is removed, the governor will appoint a replacement who will serve until the next election.

Senate Minority Leader Senator Raumesh Akbari and Senate Democratic Caucus Chairwoman Senator London Lamar condemned the ouster resolution.

Both said in a joint statement, “This unconstitutional attack on Shelby County’s district attorney sets a dangerous precedent. It looks like every local official is now on notice not to cross powerful, state politicians — or else.”

The senators went on to say “Crime did not start with the new Shelby County district attorney, and it is beneath the legislature to threaten local officials over a policy debate.”

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