'It's not illegal!' Clash erupts over Mike Johnson stalling swear-in for newly elected Dem

A clash erupted over the long-delayed swearing-in of a Democratic congresswoman-elect who won a special election nearly two months ago to replace her late father in the House of Representatives.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) is expected to administer the oath of office for Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ) on Wednesday, after the House returns to action for the first time since mid-September to consider a plan to end a record government shutdown, and Democratic strategist Antjuan Seawright told "CNN This Morning" that the delay was unacceptable.

"When Speaker Johnson madethat comment, he left out onecaveat," Seawright said. "[A previous delayed oath] was the request ofthe incoming member to delay theswearing in for one reason oranother, but for 800,000 people in Arizonawent without representationafter a decisive victory in thatrace, which I think is not onlyunconstitutional, it's a matterof political malpractice. Aftera 54-day paid taxpayer vacation.Republicans are now finally backto work. But in the midst of allthat, he could have easily swornher in to allow 800,000 Arizonans to haverepresentation – Democrat, Republican, independent, orthose who do not, who did noteven participate."

Conservative commentator Carrie Sheffield took exception to Seawright's assessment of the situation.

"With all respect, you'retrying to gaslight Republicansfor the shutdown when it was Democrats who were doing it," Sheffield said. "SoI'm not really buying thatbecause Republicans, when [former President Joe] Bidenwas in office, they voted 13times to give him a clean [continuing resolution]. The Golden Rule is that youdo unto others as you want themto do unto you, andunfortunately, the Democrats inthe Senate were the ones whoreally did this shutdown. Sothey have themselves to blamefor keeping this congresswomanout of office. It's not illegal.She's wrong about that, becauseobviously there is precedent ofthis happening and there was nolegal ramifications against Nancy Pelosi at that time."

Seawright wasn't persuaded by her explanation.

"Well, again, Nancy Pelosi wasasked to delay the swearing in,and Johnson could have sworn herin in the midst of it, in themidst of the government shutdown," he said.

"She said it was illegal," Sheffield interjected. "That's an important thing toaccuse the speaker of the Houseof illegal criminal [conduct]."

"Well, there were lawsuitsfiled," Seawright fired back. "They are going to answerthat question. There werelawsuits filed by the Arizonaattorney general that the courtswill ultimately decide whetherit's legal or not. But the factis, in the midst of thegovernment shutdown, he couldhave sworn her in if he wantedto."

- YouTubeyoutu.be