Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes demanded that House Speaker Mike Johnson immediately swear in Democratic Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva, threatening legal action if he delays.

Grijalva won a special election to succeed her late father, Raúl Grijalva, but has not yet been sworn in due to Johnson keeping the House in recess amid the government shutdown.

Mayes argued that with the certificate of election transmitted, swearing in Grijalva is a ministerial duty the House cannot refuse.

Johnson defended the delay, citing House custom and precedent, and said she will be sworn in when the House resumes regular session, The Hill has reported.

Democrats claim she should be sworn in during a pro forma session, pointing to prior cases where newly elected members were sworn in immediately.