Bill Lee: “What is worse, many of these children are forced to go hungry for unpaid school meals, which is just plain wrong.”

I will seek an independent investigation and pause all executions for the rest of 2026.

Carrying out a lawfully imposed sentence is among the State’s most serious responsibilities, and the people of Tennessee expect it to be done in a manner that is not only legal and constitutional, but is effective.

I have ordered a pause on all executions for the remainder of the year.

So far as we know, the Department of Correction followed exactly the protocol that was outlined and vetted and approved by the attorney general’s office.