UPDATE: Tensions escalate as House Republicans face intense scrutiny over delays in swearing in newly elected Democratic Rep. Adelita Grijalva, whose vote could unlock the release of crucial files related to Jeffrey Epstein. The controversial delay has ignited accusations of political maneuvering, with Grijalva claiming she has received “absolutely nothing” from House Speaker Mike Johnson regarding her start date.
Grijalva, who won her seat in a special election in September 2023, is poised to be the 218th signature needed for a discharge petition that would force a vote on legislation demanding the Justice Department release Epstein-related documents. The disgraced financier and convicted sex offender was found dead in a federal jail in August 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. The implications of her vote are significant, and Democrats accuse Johnson of stalling the swearing-in process to prevent a vote on the Epstein files.
During a heated interview on CNN’s The Source, anchor Kaitlan Collins pressed Republican Jim Jordan on the issue, highlighting that two Republican lawmakers were sworn in under similar circumstances just days earlier. Jordan attempted to downplay the delay as a procedural matter, citing the ongoing government shutdown. “It’s typically done when we’re all there,” he argued, suggesting that swearing in new members requires a full House session.
Collins challenged Jordan’s claims, noting that recent swearing-in ceremonies occurred during pro forma sessions. “But a couple months ago, he swore in Jimmy Patronis and Randy Fine in a pro forma session,” she pointed out, leaving Jordan momentarily flustered.
In response to Collins’ inquiry about the potential political motivations behind the delay, Jordan denied any connection, asserting that the decision was purely procedural. However, the situation has raised eyebrows, with critics suggesting that the GOP is strategically stalling Grijalva’s swearing-in to suppress her pivotal vote on Epstein.
Separately, Speaker Johnson defended the delay, stating it had “nothing to do with” the Epstein files and reiterated that Grijalva would be sworn in when Congress reconvenes. “We’ll schedule it, I guess, as soon as she wants,” he added, but his comments did little to quell the growing doubts about the motives behind the hold-up.
Grijalva, stepping into her late father’s shoes as a Democratic Congresswoman in Arizona, is now at the center of a political storm. The broader implications of her vote could expose ties between high-profile individuals and Epstein, a narrative that has gained traction since the Trump administration declassified and released heavily redacted files related to the financier earlier this year. The FBI’s July memo concluded a systematic review revealed no incriminating “client list,” yet conspiracy theories surrounding Epstein’s death continue to thrive.
As political dynamics shift, all eyes remain on Grijalva’s swearing-in and the subsequent potential vote on the Epstein files. With the House in disarray and accusations of partisan manipulation swirling, the urgency for clarity has never been more pronounced.
Stay tuned for updates as this developing story unfolds, and watch for further statements from both sides as they navigate this contentious issue.
