Arizona Sues GOP-Controlled House
A heated constitutional battle is unfolding in Washington after Arizona’s Democrat Attorney General Kris Mayes filed a lawsuit demanding that House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) seat newly elected Democrat Adelita Grijalva — despite Congress being out of session.
The lawsuit, filed Tuesday in federal court, claims Grijalva’s “constitutional rights” are being violated because Johnson has refused to convene a full House session during the ongoing government shutdown. Mayes is asking a judge to let someone else administer the oath if Johnson won’t.
Mayes’ office argues that Johnson’s actions deny voters their “rightful representation.” But conservatives say the lawsuit is just another Democrat power grab designed to weaponize the courts against the GOP-led House.
“If the Speaker had that kind of unchecked authority, he could silence voters,” the suit claims — though Johnson insists he’s simply following long-standing House tradition.
Grijalva, a former county supervisor, recently won a special election to fill the seat of her late father, Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.), whose district covers much of southern Arizona, including parts of Tucson and the U.S.-Mexico border — a region at the center of President Trump’s new border security push.
💬 Speaker Johnson Fires Back: “She Should Focus on Serving, Not TikTok”
Speaker Johnson strongly defended his decision, saying the House will reconvene only after Democrats help reopen the government.
“I’m willing and anxious to swear her in,” Johnson told reporters. “But instead of doing TikTok videos, she should focus on serving her constituents.”
Johnson’s allies call it a reasonable procedural move, while Democrats accuse him of “obstruction.”
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) warned Friday that legal action could follow if Grijalva isn’t seated immediately. “This has gone on long enough,” Jeffries said. “Expect swift legal action.”
⚖️ Grijalva Accuses Johnson of “Abusing Power”
In a statement, Grijalva accused Speaker Johnson of crossing a constitutional line.
“This isn’t just petty politics — it’s an unlawful breach of the democratic process,” she said. “For four weeks, he’s refused to seat a duly elected member, denying Southern Arizona its representation.”
But many conservatives see this as another example of Democrats crying foul whenever they don’t get their way — using the courts and media outrage instead of respecting long-standing rules.
🧭 The Bigger Picture: Democrats vs. House Tradition
For decades, new members have only been sworn in when the House is in regular session — a rule respected by both parties.
Speaker Johnson says he’s simply following that precedent, while Democrats push to rewrite tradition through the courts.
Political analysts say this case could set a major precedent on how Congress handles vacancies — and whether activist judges can interfere with internal House procedures.
🇺🇸 Bottom Line for Conservatives
This Arizona battle isn’t just about one seat — it’s about who controls the rules in Washington.
While President Trump and Speaker Johnson focus on securing the border and reopening the government, Democrats are turning to liberal judges to force their way back into power.
