Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva speaking at the Capitol.

Mike Johnson Faces Criticism for Delaying Swearing-in of Adelita Grijalva | AI News Digest

Published: October 21, 2025, 4:21 p.m. Politics Negative

In an unexpected development, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson is facing significant criticism for his decision not to swear in Democratic Representative-elect Adelita Grijalva from Arizona, who recently won a special election to succeed her late father. Johnson has taken issue with Grijalva, accusing her of neglecting her responsibilities to her constituents amid the ongoing federal government shutdown, and suggested she should prioritize her official duties over her social media presence. This stance has sparked strong reactions from Democratic lawmakers, who contend that Johnson's delay is politically charged and hinders Grijalva's capacity to fulfill her role. Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes has hinted at possible legal action against Johnson due to his failure to act, further intensifying the situation in Congress. This controversy raises critical questions about the extent of congressional leadership's authority over the swearing-in process for newly elected officials.

Adelita GrijalvaMike JohnsonCongressArizonagovernment shutdown