Speaker Johnson Delays Grijalva Swearing In
🟠 Erosion of Democratic Norms ·
Sep 23, Nov 12, 2025
Summary
Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ) won her special election on September 23, 2025 with 70% of the vote to fill her late father’s seat, but Speaker Mike Johnson refused to swear her in for 50 days, the longest non-pandemic swearing-in delay in modern history. Johnson had swiftly sworn in Republican special election winners earlier in the year under similar circumstances. Democrats alleged the true motive was that Grijalva’s signature was needed to trigger a floor vote on the Epstein files discharge petition. Arizona AG Kristin Mayes filed a federal lawsuit. Johnson invoked a ‘Pelosi precedent’ that the cases he cited directly contradicted. Grijalva was finally sworn in November 12, 2025, the same day the House voted to reopen the government.
Key Figures
Institutions Involved
Sources
- Rep. Adelita Grijalva is finally sworn in as the House’s newest Democrat - paving way for Epstein files vote
- Arizona sues US House over delay in swearing in Democrat Grijalva
- Speaker Johnson continues to resist swearing in Democratic Rep.-elect Grijalva