AZ Attorney General Sues House Speaker Over Delay in Swearing In Grijalva

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes filed a lawsuit Tuesday against the US House of Representatives and Speaker Mike Johnson, alleging that their delay in swearing in Representative-elect Adelita Grijalva violates the constitutional rights of Arizona voters. 

The Details: Mayes said in a statement that Johnson’s refusal to administer the oath of office amounts to “taxation without representation,” and vowed to ensure Arizonans “are not treated as second-class citizens in their own democracy.” The attorney general had previously sent a letter to Johnson setting a deadline to schedule Grijalva’s swearing-in, but received no response. Johnson has dismissed the lawsuit as “patently absurd,” stating Mayes has “no jurisdiction” in the matter. He maintains that Grijalva will be sworn in once the federal government reopens, which is in its third week of a shutdown.

For Context: Democrats have accused Johnson of delaying Grijalva’s swearing-in for political reasons. Grijalva’s signature would reportedly provide the final vote needed to advance a Democratic-led discharge petition to compel the release of records related to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation. Johnson has denied any connection between the delay and the petition. Arizona senators Mark Kelly (D) and Ruben Gallego (D) confronted Johnson earlier this month over the delay, calling it unfair to Arizona voters. 

How the Media Covered It: Arizona’s Family (Center bias) highlighted the special election where Grijalva won with 70% of the vote, and included criticism from Arizona officials. It quoted Gallego who said Johnson was “protecting pedophiles” from “whatever is in those files.” Washington Examiner (Lean Right) said Johnson was “failing to swear in” Grijalva, while CNN (Lean Left) called it a “refusal.” Washington Examiner included Grijalva’s complaints about a lack of access to certain documents without being sworn in. CNN highlighted arguments made by both Mayes and Johnson, and quoted Johnson saying he was “following the Pelosi precedent,” noting similar action by former Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

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