‘I Actually Didn’t Even Know That’: Kaitlan Collins Leaves Jim Jordan at a Loss to Explain Why GOP Hasn’t Sworn in Democrat Elected into Congress
Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) tried to explain why a Democrat elected to Congress last month hasn’t been sworn in, only to have CNN’s Kaitlan Collins immediately shoot down the attempt.
Rep.-Elect Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ) won the special election in Arizona’s seventh congressional district two weeks ago, succeeding her late father, Raul Grijalva. However, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has so far refused to swear her in. On Tuesday, Johnson was asked by a reporter if the delay is because Grijalva’s vote would be the 218th vote in favor of a measure that would force the Department of Justice to release its files on Jeffrey Epstein. The Trump administration initially indicated it would release those files, but backtracked amid reporting that Attorney General Pam Bondi told President Donald Trump his name is in the files.
Johnson ducked the question with a procedural explanation amid the ongoing government shutdown.
“We’re in a pro forma session because there is nothing for the House to do,” the speaker said. “The House has done its job.”
Hours later on CNN’s The Source, Jordan offered the same explanation, which was promptly blown up.
“Is it clear to you why Speaker Johnson has not sworn in the new member, Adelita Grijalva, yet?” Collins asked.
“Because they’re not in session,” Jordan replied. “It’s typically done when we’re all there. It’s a special thing. The individual gives, the new member gives a speech in front of Congress, sworn in by the Speaker of the House, introduced by colleagues from their delegation.”
Jordan went on to say, “It’s always been done that way.”
Collins seemed prepared for Jordan’s explanation:
COLLINS: So, you’re saying because it’s a pro forma session. That’s why?
JORDAN: Yeah, because there’s like, there’s two people on the floor, you know, whatever. There’s– but normally it’s done in front of the full House. That new member in a special election gets, I think in some ways a kind of a neat experience where they get to talk to the House, their first day getting sworn in. And that’s happened every single time that I can recall with any new member elected in a special [election] in the middle of a congressional session.
COLLINS: But a couple months ago, he swore in Jimmy Patronis and Randy Fine in a pro forma session.
JORDAN: I, I, I, didn’t, I actually didn’t even know that when they were sworn in. But I always remember when it happens, the delegations up front and that person is sworn in.
COLLINS: Do you think it has anything to do with the discharge petition and that she could be the 218th signature for the Jeffrey Epstein files?
JORDAN: No, I think it’s to make the clear point we have voted to fund the government at all levels all the Democrats support it, and they now won’t support it because they’re bringing up an issue that, frankly, was not even part of the campaign last year.
Watch above via CNN.
