Fifty days after her decisive special election victory, Adelita Grijalva finally took her oath of office as Arizona’s newest member of Congress on November 12, 2025. The swearing-in, administered by House Speaker Mike Johnson, ended an unprecedented seven-week delay that left over 800,000 Arizonans without a voice in Washington during a critical government shutdown. The moment was historic not only for its political drama but also because Grijalva became the first Latina sent to Congress by Arizona voters, carrying on the legacy of her late father, longtime Representative Raúl Grijalva.
The delay, which Democrats and Grijalva herself called an "abuse of power," was rooted in high-stakes political maneuvering. According to Cronkite News, Speaker Johnson refused to swear Grijalva in during the House’s pro forma sessions, despite having done so for two Republicans earlier in the year. Instead, he insisted on waiting until the House returned for a regular session, a move that drew sharp criticism from Democrats and even prompted Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes to file a federal lawsuit in late October to force Johnson’s hand. "This is an abuse of power. One individual should not be able to unilaterally obstruct the swearing-in of a duly elected member of Congress for political reasons," Grijalva declared moments after taking her oath.
Grijalva’s first act as a congresswoman was to sign the final signature needed on a bipartisan discharge petition to force a House vote on the full release of the Justice Department’s Jeffrey Epstein files. As reported by Democracy Now!, this move had been at the heart of the standoff. Johnson’s refusal to seat Grijalva was widely interpreted as an attempt to prevent her from providing the crucial 218th signature, which would compel a floor vote on the issue. The discharge petition, led by Representatives Thomas Massie and Ro Khanna, sought transparency and accountability in the high-profile Epstein case, which has ensnared powerful figures including former President Donald Trump.
On the day of her swearing-in, the House oversight committee released emails that appeared to tie Trump more closely than previously known to Epstein’s sex trafficking, according to Cronkite News. In a symbolic gesture, Democrats brought two of Epstein’s accusers, Liz Stein and Jessica Michaels, to witness Grijalva’s swearing-in. Grijalva acknowledged their presence in her floor speech, stating, "Justice cannot wait another day." She continued, "This includes the millions of people across the country who have experienced violence and exploitation, including Liz Stein and Jessica Michaels, both survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse. They are here in the gallery with us this evening. Thank you for being here. Thank you."
Grijalva’s speech was unusually fiery for someone only minutes into her tenure. She wasted no time in criticizing both the Trump administration and congressional Republicans. "What is most concerning is not what this administration has done, but what the majority in this body has failed to do: hold Trump accountable as a co-equal branch of government that we are," she said. Her remarks drew cheers from House Democrats, who packed their side of the chamber and chanted her name as she made her way to the lectern.
Grijalva also used her platform to highlight her personal story and the broader significance of her election. Switching between English and Spanish, she paid tribute to her heritage as the granddaughter of a Mexican immigrant and the daughter of a congressman who spent his life "fighting for justice, equity, and dignity for the most vulnerable." She introduced her three children to the chamber and said, "Thank you to la gente of Southern Arizona for making history electing me, the first Latina, the first Chicana from Arizona to ever go to Congress. Este momento es histórico para nuestra comunidad. Es un honor ser la primera Latina en representar Arizona en el Congreso, y les aseguro que aunque soy la primera, no seré la última."
The political tension was palpable. Speaker Johnson, standing beside Grijalva for the traditional reenactment photos, joked about the "intense fellowship" between himself and House Democrats over the delay. "But she’s here now, and I promised that we would have the oath administered before we began legislative business," he said, adding, "She hasn’t missed a vote." Johnson also offered respectful words about Grijalva’s father, calling him "a giant around here" and expressing confidence in Adelita’s future as a legislator.
Other members of the Arizona delegation welcomed Grijalva warmly. Rep. Paul Gosar, the delegation’s longest-serving member, congratulated her and expressed confidence in her ability to bring energy to Congress. Rep. Greg Stanton, a Phoenix Democrat, was more pointed in his remarks, criticizing Johnson’s shifting justifications for the delay and noting the impact on Arizona’s representation. "Since Sept. 23, the people of Arizona have been waiting for this day, and the excuses for the delay have changed seemingly daily," Stanton said, as Democrats in the chamber booed.
Grijalva’s swearing-in came just hours before she cast her first votes, joining the minority as the House passed a bill to end the government shutdown. The shutdown, which began on October 1, had left many Arizonans—especially the most vulnerable—without access to services and support. Grijalva lamented, "Southern Arizona did their job, and Speaker Johnson refused to do his. And as frustrating as it was for me personally, it’s more heartbreaking when people needed help during this shutdown that was completely preventable." She pledged to fight for public schools, tribal sovereignty, environmental justice, LGBTQ+ rights, and more humane immigration policies.
Reflecting on the experience, Grijalva didn’t shy away from criticizing the political motivations she saw behind the delay. "Every excuse that Speaker Johnson rolled out, whether it was my race wasn’t certified, we don’t—and that was never a requirement, has never been. He actually swore in three people less than 24 hours from the date of their election—that we can’t swear in a pro forma, except that he did swear in two Republicans during a pro forma session," she told Democracy Now!. She argued that the real reason was to block her from signing the Epstein petition, a move she described as essential for justice and transparency.
As the House prepares for a vote on the Epstein files—expected in early December—Grijalva’s arrival signals a new chapter for Arizona’s 7th Congressional District. Her story, shaped by family legacy and a commitment to justice, has already left a mark on Congress. "Our democracy only works well when everyone has a voice," she said. For Grijalva and her constituents, that voice is finally being heard.
