Newly Elected Democrat Accuses Speaker Johnson of Delaying Swearing-In
Arizona Democrat Adelita Grijalva has raised concerns over House Speaker Mike Johnson’s delay in swearing her into Congress following her victory in a special election held on September 23, 2023. Grijalva suspects that Johnson is intentionally stalling her swearing-in to prevent her from participating in discussions surrounding the release of documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein case.
Claims of Unusual Delays
Grijalva, who won the election to replace her late father, arrived in Washington last week, only to find that Johnson had not scheduled a swearing-in ceremony. In an interview with CNN, she described the situation as unusual, noting that Johnson had sworn in three other members of Congress who were elected in special elections. Notably, two of those members were Republicans who were sworn in on April 2, 2023, after elections held on April 1.
She commented, “I try not to be a conspiracy theorist… but in my case, this speaker has sworn in three other members of Congress. I was in D.C. and now I hear that the next time Congress is in session has been canceled.” Grijalva noted that sessions scheduled for September 29 and September 30, as well as one on October 7, were also canceled, leaving her uncertain about when she might be sworn in.
Speculations Surrounding the Delay
Democratic members have speculated that Johnson’s actions may be linked to Grijalva’s intention to sign a discharge petition led by Representative Thomas Massie (R-KY). This petition aims to force a vote on the release of evidence from Epstein’s sex trafficking case. Grijalva stated, “I am going to be the 218th signer to the discharge petition, so that is the only thing that most people are pointing to.”
The Congresswoman, who identifies as a Chicana from Tucson, expressed her belief that her identity should not play a role in the delay. “None of those factors are reasons why I wouldn’t be sworn in, other than pointing to the Epstein files and the complete lack of transparency from this administration in releasing those files,” she said.
Grijalva further indicated that Johnson has previously curtailed votes related to the Epstein files, suggesting a potential connection between her delayed swearing-in and the sensitive nature of the materials at stake. The lack of communication from the Speaker’s office has left her frustrated and uncertain about her future in Congress.
This situation highlights ongoing tensions within the House as members navigate complex political issues, particularly those related to high-profile cases like that of Epstein. Grijalva’s claims underscore the challenges newly elected officials can face in asserting their roles amidst contentious political dynamics.
