Arizona AG Kris Mayes threatens lawsuit if Mike Johnson delays swearing-in of Rep-elect Grijalva

WASHINGTON, DC: Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes warned House Speaker Mike Johnson to swear in Rep-elect Adelita Grijalva or face legal action immediately.

She issued the warning on Tuesday, October 14, escalating a standoff that has intensified amid the ongoing federal government shutdown.

In a sharply worded letter to Johnson, Mayes demanded “assurance” that Grijalva would be sworn in within two days. 

Johnson says House ceremony must wait until government reopens

In the letter to Mike Johnson, Kris Mayes wrote, “You and your staff have provided ever-shifting, unsatisfactory, and sometimes absurd stories as to why Ms Grijalva has not been sworn in."

She added, "We ask that within two days of the date of this letter, you provide this Office with the assurance of when and where that will take place."

At a press conference on Tuesday, Johnson said that the House would not hold any ceremonies until the government reopens.

“We have a long tradition here, and a process, of how we administer the oath to the member,” he said.

“We’re going to do that as soon as we get back to work," he added. 

Johnson further said that the House would “follow customary practice by swearing in Rep-elect Grijalva when the House is in legislative session.”

He also said that Grijalva “deserves to have all the pomp and circumstances everybody else does,” which he said can only occur during a full session.

Grijalva alleges political motive tied to Epstein file vote

Grijalva, who won the September 23 special election for the Arizona seat long held by her late father, Rep Raúl Grijalva, has accused Johnson of deliberately stalling. 

She, along with House Democrats, marched to Speaker Johnson’s office on Tuesday, demanding that she be sworn in.  

She claimed that Speaker Johnson is blocking her swearing-in because she plans to sign a discharge petition to release files related to Jeffrey Epstein.

“Any further delay reveals his true motive,” she said.

Democrats argued that Johnson could easily swear Grijalva in during a pro forma session, pointing out that two Florida Republicans were sworn in under similar circumstances in April. 

Johnson countered that those ceremonies were unique because votes had been scheduled and later canceled, unlike the current situation in which all House business is suspended due to the shutdown.

Democrats press for action as legal pressure mounts

In a statement on Tuesday, Grijalva said that she is ready to take her oath and will “be in close contact” with Attorney General Mayes to explore legal options.

As the impasse continues, Mayes’ ultimatum has added fresh legal and political pressure on the speaker.

Mayes also said in her statement that, “We are keeping every option open to us, including litigation, to hold him accountable and make sure that Adelita is able to begin her work as Arizona’s newest member of Congress.”