Grijalva Confronts Speaker Johnson After Delayed Swearing-In
Adelita Grijalva, a newly elected Democrat from Arizona, confronted House Speaker Mike Johnson during her swearing-in ceremony on Wednesday after a nearly two-month delay. Grijalva’s swearing-in was significant as it followed a political standoff that had left her constituents without representation since the election on March 15, 2023.
The congresswoman, who played a key role in advocating for the release of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, expressed her frustration with Johnson’s refusal to administer her oath of office during the recent government shutdown. She described the delay as “undemocratic, unconstitutional, and illegal,” remarks she made in an interview with CNN prior to the ceremony.
During the ceremony, an awkward moment unfolded as Grijalva and Johnson posed for photographs. An aide prompted them to shake hands, leading to an uncomfortable exchange before reporters. When asked why her swearing-in took so long, Grijalva pointedly gestured towards Johnson, suggesting he was the reason for the delay. Johnson responded in a light-hearted manner, praising Grijalva and noting her father’s legacy in Congress, but he avoided directly addressing the delay.
Johnson remarked, “Look, I really like this lady. She’s gonna be an excellent member of Congress.” He acknowledged the historical significance of her family in the House, referring to her father, the late Raúl Grijalva, who passed away in March after battling lung cancer.
Once officially sworn in, Grijalva wasted no time addressing the political implications of her delayed start. “It has been 50 days since the people of Arizona’s seventh congressional district elected me to represent them,” she stated, emphasizing the impact of her absence on over 800,000 constituents. She described the situation as an “abuse of power,” insisting that no one individual should obstruct the swearing-in of a duly elected member.
In a move to assert her role in Congress, Grijalva immediately signed a discharge petition initiated by Republican Thomas Massie and Democrat Ro Khanna, aimed at forcing the release of further Epstein files. This action marked her as the 218th and final signature needed for the petition, which Johnson stated he would bring to a vote next week. The release of these files, previously stalled until December, is now expected to gain traction under Johnson’s leadership.
Grijalva conveyed her determination in her speech, stating, “It’s past time for Congress to restore its role as a check and balance on this administration and fight for we, the American people.” She underscored the urgent need for transparency regarding the Epstein files, highlighting that “justice cannot wait another day.”
When discussing the politicization of the Epstein files, Grijalva expressed her dismay, stating, “You’re not going to protect pedophiles.” She called for a united front against those who harm vulnerable individuals, asserting that this should transcend partisan divides.
The House Oversight Committee’s recent release of additional Epstein emails added further complexity to the political landscape, particularly as some messages contained references to former President Donald Trump. In one email, Epstein described Trump as a “maniac” with “early dementia.” Despite the controversy, Trump sidestepped questions about Epstein after signing a bill to end the government shutdown on the same day.
Grijalva’s swearing-in marks a new chapter for her constituents, who can now expect representation in Congress following a prolonged absence. As she embarks on her congressional duties, the spotlight remains on how she will navigate the challenges of her new role while addressing the pressing issues facing her district.
