The Tennessee Conservative · Brandon Lewis

Re-Opening Door To Tennessee Abortion? Protecting Illegal Aliens from ICE...Clown Car Of Liberals?

December 18, 2025·15 min·1 clip
Brandon reveals how Tennessee lawmakers face retaliation for defying leadership on controversial bills.
Brandon Lewis, founder of The Tennessee Conservative, joins the Yaffe Live radio show to discuss state politics. The episode focuses on recent legislative actions and local controversies in Tennessee. Lewis is a regular contributor who analyzes news from a conservative perspective. The hosts examine a reproductive rights bill signed by Governor Bill Lee that some conservatives view as reopening a door to abortion access. Lewis notes the bill was supported by the ACLU, Planned Parenthood, and 24 Democratic lawmakers. Republican representatives Iris Rutter and Becky Massey initially presented the bill, which was framed as protecting fertility treatments. Representative Gino Bolso attempted to amend the bill on the House floor due to concerns it disregards the state's definition of an unborn child. Eleven lawmakers sent a letter asking Governor Lee to veto the legislation, but he signed it into law. The conversation shifts to reports of Nashville educators and parents organizing to protect undocumented immigrants from ICE. Lewis states there are zero reports of ICE arrests on Tennessee school grounds. He describes a group called MigraWatch posting photos of suspected ICE vehicles and escorting people to bus stops. Lewis argues ICE operations primarily target individuals in high-crime areas or with outstanding warrants. He characterizes the activist response as "virtue signaling" by liberals seeking social approval. The final topic is Ford Motor Company scrapping plans for an electric vehicle pickup at its Blue Oval City plant in Tennessee. Lewis criticizes the state's provision of roughly one billion dollars in tax incentives for the project. He notes the promised 6,000 jobs have not materialized while infrastructure spending continues. Lewis connects this to broader frustration with corporate incentives, which he labels "crony capitalism" that harms small businesses. A surprising claim is that Tennessee legislative leadership, specifically Speaker Cameron Sexton and Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally, operate a top-down system that punishes dissenting members. Lewis asserts lawmakers who defy leadership risk losing committee positions and having their legislation killed. He also observes that many liberals live more conservatively in their personal finances and family lives than their public activism suggests. A memorable moment is Lewis's critique of political inaction, where he states watching Fox News for 15 hours a day will not fix the country. He urges conservatives to vote in primaries, donate to candidates, and engage in grassroots activism like knocking on doors. The tone is informal and opinionated, featuring candid banter between the host and guest. The style is a conversational political critique aimed at a conservative audience. Listeners interested in Tennessee state politics from a right-wing viewpoint would appreciate this episode. Those seeking a neutral, policy-deep analysis or opposing political perspectives might choose to skip it.

As heard by us

A local conservative take on ICE, school concerns, and Tennessee politics.

Brandon Lewis frames a Tennessee politics segment around ICE enforcement, school unease, and the distance between online outrage and what is actually happening on the ground.

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Why you'd press play

You want a blunt Tennessee conservative take on ICE enforcement and the protests around it.

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