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Rep. Adelita Grijalva (D-Ariz.) has officially been sworn into Congress after a weeks-long standoff Democrats say was led by House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) to block a vote on releasing sealed Jeffrey Epstein files, per HuffPost.
Grijalva won a September 23 special election to fill the seat once held by her late father, Rep. Raúl Grijalva. The newly elected lawmaker was blocked from taking office as Johnson claimed he was waiting until the House returned to session after the government shutdown. Johnson, however, previously swore in two Republican lawmakers while the chamber was out.
In October, Grijalva and Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes sued the House, calling Johnson’s refusal unconstitutional and a violation of the will of Arizona voters.
“The delay in swearing me in is robbing the people of Southern Arizona of essential constituent services,” Grijalva said at the time.
On Wednesday (November 12), Grijalva was sworn into Congress as House Democrats released newly obtained Epstein emails referencing President Donald Trump, including one 2011 message describing Trump as “a dog that hasn’t barked.”
Grijalva's arrival in Washington narrows the GOP razor-thin majority and immediately gives Democrats the 218th and final signature needed to trigger a discharge petition forcing a vote to declassify additional Epstein documents held by the Justice Department.
Democrats accused Johnson of delaying Grijalva’s swearing-in to shield Trump and his allies from renewed scrutiny. Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) accused the speaker of “covering up for pedophiles.”
Johnson has denied any political motive, insisting he followed procedural precedent.
After taking the oath, Grijalva vowed to hold Johnson accountable for what she called “undemocratic” and “illegal” obstruction.
“This kind of manipulation of our institutions cannot happen again,” she said.
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