MEMPHIS, Tenn. — State Sen. Brent Taylor says he will move ahead with an ouster effort to remove Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy from office.

Minutes before Taylor held a press conference Monday to explain his plans, Mulroy announced he was dropping a controversial plan that sparked the ire from state Republicans.

“This is pure politics,” Mulroy said.

But Taylor said the effort would proceed. He planned to file a resolution in the Senate after the elections in November.

“This ouster resolution was never about the diversion program,” Taylor said. “It was about the DA’s attempt to redefine crime and punishment.”

Asked what Mulroy could do to to head off the ouster before November, Taylor answered, “Do his damn job. He was elected to prosecute criminals.”

Last week, Mulroy announced out a new diversion program for defendants charged with unlawful possession of a weapon, in a move designed to tackle racial disparities in the legal system.

The move was met with immediate criticism from some local Republicans.

“His actions will make Memphis even more unsafe and is another step in kowtowing to criminals,” Republican House Speaker Cameron Sexton wrote on X.

Last Friday, Sexton announced he was seeking Mulroy’s removal from office, calling his decision to offer diversion to felons possessing firearms a serious misjudgment.

Taylor, a Republican from Eads, sent a letter Monday to Lt. Gov. Randy McNally saying he plans to file a Senate Joint Resolution to remove Mulroy. It will be filed immediately after the November elections, he said.

The causes listed for Mulroy will include “‘dereliction of duty’ for failing to properly prosecute convicted felons in possession of a firearm,” the letter states.

Monday, Mulroy issued a statement saying he had changed his mind, and decided not to pursue the plan to offer diversion for some gun crimes after hearing concerns from the public.

“Asked about racial disparities at a forum last week, I said we were considering an as-yet-unformed alternative approach for nonviolent felons charged with possession of a weapon.  It wasn’t a formal program or policy, but just allowing prosecutors case-by-case discretion for nonviolent defendants who’d never used a gun and who seemed reformable.  However, after looking at the number of cases that qualify, I realize it would only be a handful of cases—not enough to help with racial disparities.  In light of that, and the concern I’ve heard from some (though by no means all) members of the public, I’ve decided not to pursue this idea. We’ll continue to work on ways to address racial disparities and continue to focus on violent crime.”

Taylor said Monday he wasn’t initially in support of an ouster for Mulroy, but said he consistently heard about it from members of the public. The announcement of the diversion plan for gun crimes was the moment that changed his mind, he said.

“I didn’t come to this decision lightly,” he said.

Taylor said there are two methods that might be used to remove Mulroy: one is impeachment by the legislature; the other is a resolution by either chamber with a 2/3 vote by both houses.

Taylor said he will pursue the resolution route, which would allow Mulroy to have due process. If the vote passes, the governor would appoint a replacement to serve the remainder of Mulroy’s term in 2026.

He said the governor and senate leadership were supportive of the legislation.

Previous district attorneys have practiced judicial discretion on some charges. Asked about this, Taylor responded that Mulroy was the D.A. currently in office and Taylor was not a senator during previous D.A.’s terms.

Taylor said the effort to oust local law enforcement officials he felt were not properly enforcing laws. He mentioned several judges, one in particular, though he did not name names.

“This may not be the only ouster resolution I have to file after the election,” he said.

Mulroy released the following statement in response to Monday’s press conference:

“This is politics, pure and simple. We were No. 1 in the country for violent crime for years before I took office. To further public safety, we’ve refocused on violent crime with our V11 initiative, our Aggravated Assault Policy, and other things. We prosecute over 3,000 prosecute violent cases every year, including over 1000 “felon in possession” cases, and there’s been no lessening since I took office. Today, we handled over 1000 cases, started a murder trial, got a plea to 28 years, and got Eliza Fletcher’s killer sentenced to a lifetime in prison. (Note from WREG: Fletcher’s alleged killer has not been convicted.)

Rather than disrespecting Shelby County voters by trying to overturn a local election, Sen. Taylor should focus on getting state funding for a local crime lab, raising penalties on “Glock switches,” and letting Shelby County pass sensible gun regulations to stop the flood of guns threatening our safety. I’ll meet with any legislator to hear their concerns; meanwhile, we’ll continue to do the actual work. Public safety is and always will be my top priority.”

State Sen. Raumesh Akbari (D-Memphis) Taylor’s action could have an impact on other elected officials across the state.

“This unconstitutional attack on Shelby County’s district attorney sets a dangerous precedent. It looks like every local official is now on notice not to cross powerful, state politicians — or else,” Akbari said. “Memphians are sick and tired of seeing their local elected officials run over by state politics just for doing the job they promised to do. Crime did not start with the new Shelby County district attorney and it is beneath the legislature to threaten local officials over a policy debate.”