Breaking: Mike Johnson Faces Lawsuit from Arizona Attorney General Over Refusal to Swear In Rep. Grijalva

In a major legal and political escalation, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes announced that her office is filing a lawsuit against House Speaker Mike Johnson, accusing him of violating the U.S. Constitution by refusing to seat Representative-elect Adelita Grijalva, who won Arizona’s 7th Congressional District by an overwhelming margin.

The move, Mayes argues, is not only unconstitutional but also disenfranchises over 800,000 Arizonans — leaving them without representation in Congress as critical national debates continue, including one that may involve the long-awaited release of Jeffrey Epstein–related files.

Constitutional Crisis in the Making

In an interview with journalist Brian Tyler Cohen, Mayes explained that Johnson has now refused for over three weeks to swear in Grijalva, despite her election being fully certified by Arizona’s state officials.

“Mike Johnson has denied the people of the 7th District their right to representation,” Mayes said. “That’s taxation without representation — and we fought a revolutionary war over that.”

She emphasized that under the U.S. Constitution, an elected representative must be seated once certified, and no internal House rule or Speaker’s decision can override that. Mayes confirmed her office would rely on both constitutional provisions and case law, specifically citing Powell v. McCormack (1969), which established that Congress cannot refuse to seat duly elected members who meet constitutional requirements.

The “Epstein Files” Motive?

While Speaker Johnson has offered various justifications — including citing “procedural precedent” allegedly set by former Speaker Nancy Pelosi — critics argue that his refusal is politically motivated.

Mayes suggested one possible reason behind Johnson’s delay could be Grijalva’s potential deciding vote on a discharge petition to release sealed Epstein-related records, which has stirred controversy in Washington.

“Many have speculated that he doesn’t want her to be the final vote on the Epstein files,” Mayes noted. “Whatever his motives, he’s violating the rights of Arizona voters.”

Johnson’s defenders claim he is merely ensuring “proper process,” but Mayes and others dismiss that explanation as “nonsensical,” pointing out that Johnson has already sworn in newly elected Republican members in similar circumstances.

A Dangerous Precedent

Mayes warned that allowing Johnson’s refusal to stand would set a “terrifying precedent” — enabling future Speakers to block opposition members from being seated for purely partisan reasons.

“If Mike Johnson now thinks he’s the king of the country, deciding who gets to be in Congress, imagine what happens in 2026 or 2028,” she said. “That’s not democracy. That’s autocracy.”

The Attorney General emphasized the broader danger of Republicans “testing the system” — pushing constitutional boundaries to see how far they can go without accountability.

She linked the move to a pattern of election denialism and institutional sabotage, citing examples ranging from Donald Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election to Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake’s refusal to concede in 2022.

“There’s a clear pattern developing,” Mayes warned. “Republicans are increasingly treating Democratic victories as illegitimate simply because Democrats won.”

Impact on Arizona’s 7th District

While the legal battle unfolds, residents of Arizona’s 7th District remain unrepresented in Congress. Grijalva — who won nearly 70% of the vote — has been unable to perform even basic duties.

“She doesn’t have an official email address,” Mayes said. “She can’t advocate for flood victims, veterans, or seniors who depend on Social Security. Mike Johnson is silencing an entire community.”

The lawsuit aims to force Johnson to swear Grijalva in immediately, restoring the district’s representation and reaffirming that the Speaker’s powers do not supersede the Constitution.

A Larger Fight Against Overreach

Mayes, a Democrat, has become one of the leading state officials pushing back against what she calls “federal overreach and authoritarian drift” under Republican leadership.

She noted that Democratic attorneys general have collectively sued Trump-era policies 27 times, saving Arizona alone an estimated $1.5 billion in blocked cuts to federal programs like Head Start, Meals on Wheels, and education grants.

Mayes expressed frustration that no Republican attorneys general have joined such efforts, lamenting the erosion of bipartisan defense of constitutional norms.

“They’re not acting as partners in democracy anymore,” she said. “They’re acting as partners in power consolidation.”

Fears of Militarization Before 2028

The interview concluded on an ominous note, with Mayes and Cohen discussing reports of increased National Guard deployments under the Trump-aligned administration — deployments critics believe could lay the groundwork for election interference in future cycles.

“If Trump or his allies can use troops as a political tool, especially near elections, that’s a red line,” Mayes cautioned. “Local law enforcement doesn’t want it, and it’s blatantly unconstitutional.”

She urged fellow attorneys general to remain vigilant and proactive through 2028, warning that unchecked executive power could lead to the weaponization of state institutions against democracy itself.

Conclusion: A Test for American Democracy

The standoff between Kris Mayes and Mike Johnson is more than a procedural dispute — it’s a constitutional test of how far partisan leaders can go before the courts, and the public, push back.

At its heart, the conflict raises a profound question:
If a Speaker can deny seating an elected representative, what remains of representative government?

For now, all eyes are on the federal court — and on a Speaker whose refusal to act may soon define a critical moment in America’s struggle between law and political power.