October 22, 2025
Arizona sues House Speaker after he delays swearing in Democrat for seven weeks during government shutdown
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes filed a federal lawsuit on Oct. 21, 2025 seeking to force House Speaker Mike Johnson to swear in Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva after a special-election victory.
Johnson has postponed Grijalva’s swearing, citing the House being out of session during the government shutdown.
Grijalva joined the suit and says she cannot fully serve constituents without the oath.
Arizona’s complaint alleges the delay is politically motivated and would block a petition tied to Justice Department records about Jeffrey Epstein; Johnson denies the allegation and says the House schedule — not politics — controls swearing-in timing.
Arizona filed a federal lawsuit on Oct. 21, 2025 asking a court to compel the House to swear in 
Adelita Grijalva or permit another official to administer the oath if the Speaker refuses.
Grijalva won a Sept. 23, 2025 special election to fill the seat vacated by her late father, Rep. Raúl Grijalva, but the House has not sworn her in.
Speaker Mike Johnson has said the House will not reconvene while the government shutdown continues and has tied swearing-in timing to House scheduling; he denies acting to block any petition.
Reporting shows Grijalva gained physical access to an office but, as of mid-October reporting, lacked official House IT credentials and a government email, limiting her ability to perform all official duties.
Speaker of the House
Representative-elect (Arizona)
Arizona Attorney General
House Minority Leader