Political Showdown: House Speaker Mike Johnson Clashes with Arizona Democratic Senators Over Delay in Swearing-In Ceremony
A chance encounter between House Speaker Mike Johnson and Arizona Democratic Senators Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego took a contentious turn over the delay in swearing in Adelita Grijalva, who won a special election to fill her late father's seat. Johnson insisted that Grijalva's oath would be held once Senate Democrats supported a Republican funding bill to reopen the government. Gallego and Kelly argued that Johnson had swiftly sworn in two Florida Republicans, accusing him of stalling to prevent Grijalva from signing a discharge petition related to the Jeffery Epstein files. The heated exchange escalated as Gallego accused Johnson of protecting pedophiles, leading to a shouting match between the two men. The dispute highlighted the tension surrounding the release of the Epstein files and the political maneuvering involved in the process.