The State of Arizona filed a federal lawsuit on October 21, 2025 against House Speaker Mike Johnson, R‑La., accusing him of blocking the swearing‑in of Democrat Adelita Grijalva despite her certified election win. The delay in seating her is tied to the ongoing federal government shutdown and the House remaining in recess, the lawsuit contends.
Grijalva won a special election on September 23 to fill the seat left vacant by the late Rep. Raúl Grijalva and would represent more than 800,000 constituents in Arizona’s 7th District. Johnson has refused her oath until the House returns to full session, citing the shutdown as the reason.
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes argues this delay amounts to “taxation without representation” and denies voters their chosen representative for the district. The lawsuit seeks to allow another official to administer the oath if Johnson refuses.
Johnson called the lawsuit “patently absurd” and dismissed it as a publicity move, stating that Grijalva will be sworn in when the House resumes normal legislative business.
Critics note this move coincides with Grijalva’s pledge to sign a discharge petition aimed at forcing a vote on releasing unclassified records tied to Jeffrey Epstein investigations—a petition that would require her participation to reach the necessary threshold. Johnson denies a link between her delayed swearing‑in and the petition.
