Aftyn Behn, a Democratic candidate in Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District, is facing renewed scrutiny after old video footage resurfaced showing her engaging in confrontational activism. In May 2019, Behn was part of a protest calling for the resignation of Republican State Rep. David Byrd, who had faced accusations of sexual misconduct. According to video reports, she was forcibly removed from a legislative session by security while she shouted at lawmakers, including then–House Speaker Glen Casada, demanding accountability and change. Her involvement with the activist group Enough Is Enough Tennessee, known for its persistent pressure on Byrd, highlights her history of direct-action protest.
In that same period, Behn participated in a more dramatic Capitol protest where she and other activists attempted to enter the governor’s office to demand Byrd’s ouster. Security intervened, and she was arrested along with several others who refused to disperse. The footage shows her being dragged out, yelling, and emotionally distraught—a powerful visual that underscores both her deep commitment to her cause and a willingness to use disruptive tactics. Her citations and release afterward reinforced a narrative of her as a bold protester rather than a more traditional politician.
Behn’s past isn’t just defined by protests. In 2020, she posted a string of now-deleted tweets that have resurfaced and become politically toxic. In those messages, she expressed strong anti-police sentiments—for instance, calling for the dissolution of the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department and supporting the notion of defunding law enforcement. Perhaps even more provocatively, one tweet read, “Good morning, especially to the 54% of Americans that believe burning down a police station is justified,” a statement that has become a major point of contention.
When asked directly about those past tweets in recent interviews, Behn has declined to publicly walk them back. On MS NOW, host Catherine Rampell questioned her about the “burn a police station” line, and other calls to defund the police, but Behn avoided a definitive response. In a later appearance, she said she didn’t clearly remember the deleted tweets and emphasized she’d rather focus on her campaign issues—like “affordability, communities, and local problem-solving”—than rehash her past social media. Critics argue this amounts to political dodge, while supporters suggest she’s shifting attention toward broader policy goals.
Another flashpoint came when a 2020 podcast clip resurfaced in which Behn seemed to openly insult the city of Nashville, part of the district she hopes to represent. In the audio, she said: “I hate the city … I hate the bachelorettes, I hate the pedal taverns, I hate country music … I hate it.” The remarks quickly drew fire from opponents, who said someone running to represent Nashville should not openly disparage it.
Behn has since pushed back on the narrative that she “hates” Nashville entirely. She argues her comments were expressions of frustration with the city’s tourism-driven culture—not a rejection of Nashville’s residents. She points out her long history in the city, emotional ties to landmarks like the Country Music Hall of Fame, and the real concerns of working people living in Nashville’s core. Meanwhile, her critics—particularly in conservative circles—are using the resurfaced footage and comments to brand her as radical and out of touch. The timing is especially critical: Behn is locked in a competitive special election for Tennessee’s 7th District seat, set for December 2, 2025
