The sound of silencing: Montana lawmaker latest in trend of political retaliation

Montana State Rep. Zooey Zephyr can vote but no longer participate in debates or even walk the chamber floor after a party-line vote to bar the Democrat from entering as a punishment for speaking up against anti-trans bills under consideration. This comes shortly after now-reinstated Tennessee State Reps. Justin Jones and Justin Pearson were expelled for protesting against gun violence and Arizona Republican Liz Harris was expelled from her chamber. Working to silence political opposition — legitimate political disagreement, which we emphasize is distinct from things like hate speech and threa...