House Speaker Mike Johnson said Tuesday he will schedule the long-awaited swearing-in of Democratic Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva “as soon as she wants.” This is not true because that day has already come and gone.
After easily winning Arizona's special election two weeks ago, Grijalva is poised to give Democrats more power in the House and, crucially, to decisive signature on a motion to dismiss to force a vote on the Epstein files.
But Johnson has stalled Grijalva has been sworn in for now, even adjourning the House (presumably to pressure Senate Democrats to concede to the adjournment). Many Democrats, including Grijalva, chalked up the delay to an attempt to prevent the publication of Epstein's files.
Johnson on Tuesday pushed back against the idea, telling CNN reporter Manu Raj, “It has nothing to do with it at all” and that he would “swear her in when everyone gets back.” But, as Raju noted, there is no need to wait for a full regular session; Grijalva could have been sworn in during one of the short, minute-long formal House sessions that regularly take place during the recess.
Johnson eventually swore in Republican Reps. Jimmy Patronis and Randy Fine during the formal session in April. In a preliminary session last week, Democratic lawmakers shouted at The presiding member (Johnson was not present) swore in the newly elected Democrat, but their calls fell on deaf ears and the meeting was quickly adjourned.
So why not swear in Grijalva during a pro forma ceremony? Washing up his hands, Johnson responded Tuesday: “Well, look. I think we'll schedule it as soon as she wants.”
RAJU: Earlier this year, you swore in two Republican members during pro forma session. So why not swear in Adelita Grijalva, who was elected two weeks ago? Does this have anything to do with her 218th signature on Epstein's dismissal petition?
MIKE JOHNSON: That has nothing to do with it… pic.twitter.com/nc068SXk3o
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) October 7, 2025
This was clearly a cop-out, given that Grijalva had actually publicly called for the oath of office multiple times over the past two weeks. A few examples: B interview published three days after her election, Grijalva attacked Johnson for dragging his feet. Three days after this she wrote on social networks that “there is no reason why Speaker Johnson cannot swear me in tomorrow during the formal session,” citing the cases of Patronis and Fine.
On Monday, she put it even more bluntly: “Swear to me NOW,” she said. published on X, marking Johnson's profile.
