"[3] On August 1, 2020, DeBerry, as a Tennessee State Representative, delivered remarks on the floor of the Tennessee State Legislature during a debate with lawmakers on a law to increase penalties for demonstrators suspected of certain violent offences against police officers.

[4] He spoke about rioters and demonstrators in Portland, Seattle and elsewhere in the U.S. and the negative impacts of them due to the destruction, violence, and property damage caused across the country.

He also remembered that in his early life, he had to walk into public places through back doors, sit in the back of buses, drink out of the "colored" water fountain, and attend a racially segregated school because the law forced him to.

He argued that the civil rights movement overcame these things because it had integrity and class, worked peacefully and had common sense and strong values.

[6] On November 30, 2020, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced that DeBerry would serve as a special advisor in his administration.