Johnson Delays Democrat’s Inauguration, Faces Potential Judicature

Arizona Attorney General Kristin Mayes threatened legal action against House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), alleging he’s unconstitutionally delaying Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva’s (D-AZ) swearing-in. 

The Details: Grijalva won a Sept. 23 special election in Arizona’s Seventh Congressional District, filling a vacancy left by her deceased father, Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D). She declared on Thursday, “If I had big money to bet, I would bet that if I were a Republican representative waiting in the wings, I would have already been sworn in by now.” Mayes, in a letter released on Tuesday, accused Johnson of violating the US Constitution’s Expulsion Clause. 

Mayes’ Letter: Mayes gave Johnson two days to confirm details of Grijalva’s swearing-in, asserting, “Failing to seat Ms. Grijalva immediately or to otherwise provide a reasonable explanation as to when she will be seated will prompt legal action… The effect of your failure to follow usual practice is that Arizona is down a representative from the number to which it is constitutionally entitled. And the more than 813,000 residents of Arizona’s Seventh Congressional District currently have no representation in Congress.”

Why The Delay?: Johnson argued that Grijalva’s swearing-in was only delayed because of the ongoing government shutdown, and he contended that it will take place once the shutdown ends and the House resumes sessions. Some Democrats accused Johnson of having a hidden agenda because Grijalva’s signature, which she already pledged, would be the final needed on Rep. Thomas Massie’s (R-KY) bipartisan measure to release the infamous “Epstein files.” Johnson denied the accusations, calling demands for the files’ prompt release “another partisan, manufactured thing” that could harm victims if not handled delicately. Others alternatively accused Johnson of imposing the delay to push Senate Democrats into a Republican-proposed continuing resolution. 

How The Media Covered It: Most mainstream news outlets on the right did not cover this story extensively or at all. Breitbart (Right bias), Washington Examiner (Lean Right), and The Washington Times (Lean Right) are notable exceptions. Washington Examiner highlighted Johnson’s purported concerns for victims related to the Epstein files; however, the outlet also noted instances of Democratic representatives being “ignored” when calling for Grijalva’s swearing-in. The Hill (Center) gave a more prominent voice to Congressional Democrats over Republicans by quoting Democrats directly. Politico (Lean Left) reported that Johnson imposed the delay on Grijalva “despite at one point telling reporters she would be sworn in ‘as soon as she wants.’” 

Written by the AllSides staff (of humans). Learn more. Support our mission.