Arizona Veterans Condemn Speaker Johnson’s Power Play and Demand Immediate Swear-In for Rep.-Elect Grijalva
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 9, 2025
“It’s a calculated move in yet another political game that disenfranchises voters in our district and obstructs a discharge petition that threatens GOP interests.”
Tucson, AZ – Common Defense, a national grassroots veterans organization committed to defending democracy and our community’s voice in government, strongly condemns Speaker Mike Johnson’s clear and strategic power play to delay Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva’s swearing in. We call on the Speaker to stop the political games and swear Grijalva in immediately.
In response, veterans from Grijalva’s 7th congressional district said:
“Speaker Johnson’s decision to delay Rep.-Elect Grijalva’s swearing-in—while claiming it’s merely ‘ceremonial’ and unrelated to ongoing political disputes—is a clear slap in the face to the people of Arizona’s 7th District. This is more than a delay. It’s a calculated move in yet another political game that disenfranchises voters in our district and obstructs a discharge petition that threatens GOP interests.” - Melissa Cordero, Air Force Veteran and Common Defense Organizer
“This move is inconsistent with Speaker Johnson’s own precedent. Back in April, he swore in Reps. Jimmy Patronis and Randy Fine the day after their special election victories. Delaying Rep.-Elect Grijalva’s swearing-in undermines trust in our institutions and denies the people of Arizona’s 7th District the immediate representation they are owed.” - Jena Lazana, Retired Army National Guardsman & Common Defense Member
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Common Defense Civic Engagement is a grassroots, veteran-led organization (501c4) that was founded in 2016. We empower veterans to stand up for our communities against the rising tide of racism, hate, and violence, to organize against the entrenched powers that have rigged our economy, and to champion an equitable and representative democracy, where “liberty and justice” truly is for all. For too long, politicians from both political parties have attempted to use veterans as unwilling political props, and Common Defense serves as a home for veterans to organize and speak for themselves and support the candidates who truly share our values.