After winning a special election to succeed her late father, Adelita Grijalva is facing an unprecedented three-week delay in her swearing-in as a U.S. House representative, raising eyebrows and questions in the political arena.
House Speaker Mike Johnson's refusal to seat Grijalva has sparked outrage among Democrats, who accuse him of stalling to shield sensitive information linked to the infamous Jeffrey Epstein files.
High-profile Democrats, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, have vocally criticized Johnson, alleging that the delay is a tactic to avoid accountability and undermine Grijalva's election.
The situation escalated as Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes threatened legal action if Johnson continues his obstruction, implying that the refusal to swear in Grijalva could lead to a court battle.
Frustrated by the inaction, Democratic lawmakers staged protests in Johnson’s office, visibly demonstrating their demand for Grijalva to be seated and for transparency in the situation.
This conflict encapsulates the growing tensions in Congress during a government shutdown, reflecting the broader partisan struggles between Democrats and Republicans over power and accountability in the legislative process.