Reactions flooded in on Tuesday after House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) fled when asked about when he would swear in a newly elected Arizona Democrat, in what one politician described as "pathetic."
Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ) was slated to be sworn in, but as the government shutdown continues, this move has been delayed. She has said Johnson may be blocking her to prevent the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files.
Grijalva, the daughter of the late longtime Arizona Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D), who died after battling cancer, won the race last month to succeed him. Her win further narrows the gap for the Republican majority in the House.
Democrats have speculated that Johnson is trying to prevent her from signing on to a discharge petition circulated by Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) to force a vote on releasing evidence from Epstein's sex trafficking case, and Grijalva agreed that's possible.
People chimed in after Johnson's reaction Tuesday, sharing their responses on social media:
"Pathetic," Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) wrote on X.
"Your daily reminder that Republicans are doing everything in their power to cover up the Epstein files," Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO) wrote on X.
"Rep-elect Grijalva should contemplate filing a lawsuit. Or one of her constituents should, considering they’re being denied representation when they’ve elected someone," Nick Frisone, 46th District Democratic Central Committee Member, wrote on X.
"Mike Johnson is straight-up denying the voters of #AZ07 the representation they deserve. Why? To keep the Epstein files hidden and shield creepy elites from accountability. Shame on him," Tiffany Muller, president of End Citizens United, wrote on X.
"He can't continue to do this if the public does not let up on the demand to release of the Epstein files. KEEP GOING," Amee Vanderpool wrote on X.
".@HouseGOP is keeping the government shut down to protect pedophiles," Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) wrote on X.
Pathetic. https://t.co/BIlw1pLYWy
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) October 7, 2025