Story perspectives

Johnson Delays Grijalva's Swearing In Amid Shutdown Crisis

12/5/2025

Summary

Story summary

In December 2025, House Speaker Johnson delayed swearing in Grijalva due to government shutdown.
Some observers suggested Johnson feared Grijalva's decisive vote on releasing Epstein's files.
With Congress and U.S. President Donald Trump now approving the release, Johnson has moved forward.
Van Epps, a Trump-endorsed candidate and former Tennessee commissioner, defeated Democrat Aftyn Behn by a narrower margin than expected, raising concerns for national Republicans ahead of the 2026 midterms.

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Story summary

In December 2025, House Speaker Johnson delayed swearing in Grijalva due to government shutdown.
Some observers suggested Johnson feared Grijalva's decisive vote on releasing Epstein's files.
With Congress and U.S. President Donald Trump now approving the release, Johnson has moved forward.
Van Epps, a Trump-endorsed candidate and former Tennessee commissioner, defeated Democrat Aftyn Behn by a narrower margin than expected, raising concerns for national Republicans ahead of the 2026 midterms.