Bill Lee: “It is time to retire the 2001 AUMF and stop shirking our responsibility.”

The people of Tennessee have determined that the death penalty is the appropriate penalty for the most heinous crimes in the state.

It’s a tragedy, and it’s deeply disturbing that that has happened in this state. The people deserve better than that.

It’s exactly why we will have a thorough, comprehensive review of what happened, so that we can know the answers that so many people want.

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