Newly elected Congresswoman Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ), who has vowed to become the required 218th signature on Rep. Thomas Massie‘s (R-KY) discharge petition to push forward the complete release of the Epstein files, has yet to be sworn in by House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA).
Grijalva has accused Johnson of purposely delaying her swearing in to delay her signing the petition. Johnson has said he’ll wait until the government reopens, despite having previously sworn in two Republican representatives (Patronis and Fine) during pro forma sessions in April.
BREAKING: In a shocking moment, Speaker Johnson refuses to swear in newly-elected Democratic Rep. Grijalva, who is the decisive 218th vote to sign a discharge petition to release the Epstein files.
Why the delay, Mr. Speaker?pic.twitter.com/1CjGrfVesP
— Really American
(@ReallyAmerican1) September 26, 2025
Earlier this week, Johnson told a reporter that Grijalva’s accusation wasn’t true and that he’d “swear her in as soon as everybody gets back.” On News Nation, Johnson insisted that the delay, which nevertheless persists, “has absolutely nothing to do about Epstein, it’s a scheduling matter.”
RAJU: Earlier this year you swore in 2 Republican members during a pro forma session. So why not swear in Adelita Grijalva who was elected 2 weeks ago? Does it have to do with her 218th signature on the Epstein discharge petition?
MIKE JOHNSON: It has nothing to do with that at… pic.twitter.com/nc068SXk3o
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) October 7, 2025
When asked why he swore in the two Republicans and not Grijalva, Johnson said: “There was a unique exception made when the two Florida representatives were sworn in earlier this year after winning a special election, and the only reason why we did that is because it was previously noticed for that day and they flew all their families and friends in for the ceremony.”
BREAKING: Mike Johnson now says Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva won’t be sworn in until the government reopens — despite swearing in Republicans during pro forma sessions.
When asked why not her, he said Florida GOP members were a “unique exception” because their families flew in.… pic.twitter.com/FJXDVgw3nQ
— Brian Allen (@allenanalysis) October 8, 2025
Below is Rep. Greg Stanton (D-AZ) objecting to Johnson’s decision to shut down the House to — according to Stanton — “avoid swearing in Adelita Grijalva.” Stanton yelled to Johnson: “It is undemocratic and unacceptable.”
House Republicans are gaveling us out and shutting down the House to avoid swearing in Adelita Grijalva.
It is undemocratic and unacceptable. pic.twitter.com/iVXrkMvMVF
— Rep. Greg Stanton (@RepGregStanton) October 8, 2025