Public skepticism regarding American politics is at an all-time high. Ironically, this is not surprising.
A December 2024 poll reveals that only 25% of Americans believe the country is on a path to improvement. Another quarter think that drastic changes are required to restore order.
Voters seem to feel that political leaders are out of touch with their needs. Many believe these leaders are more focused on retaining their power rather than genuinely caring about constituents. There’s a sentiment that dishonesty is rampant among politicians.
Beyond the statistics, behaviors like those of House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana), who failed to administer the oath to newly elected Democratic members, only add to public disillusionment with politics.
Adelita Grijalva, who recently won a special election for Arizona’s 7th Congressional District, is set to become the 215th Democrat in the House, which will continue to narrow the Republican majority.
Currently, however, her name cannot be added to a petition urging the release of Jeffrey Epstein’s files, as it requires just one more signature.
On October 8, Arizona Senators Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego confronted Johnson, pressing for clarity on the delays regarding Grijalva’s oath. Instead of providing satisfactory answers, Johnson made vague excuses.
He called the senators “experts in red herrings” and claimed his refusal had nothing to do with Epstein. Rather, he insisted that the House was not in session at that time.
A week later, Johnson continued to dodge the issue, dismissing Grijalva’s concerns with patronizing remarks about her understanding of House procedures.
However, many remember that just months earlier, Johnson had sworn in two Republican senators swiftly after their elections. This inconsistency is glaring.
Moreover, another Republican who won a special election was sworn in within 24 hours in September.
Grijalva pointed out that she would like to take her oath right away. She reminded everyone that freshmen were sworn in during past shutdowns. Johnson’s refusal to proceed now stands in stark contrast.
House rules stipulate that the speaker is responsible for administering the oath. While it’s standard for new representatives to be sworn in on the first day of Congress, there are no specific rules for those elected in special elections.
Johnson seems fully aware of past precedents but appears reluctant to follow them. In doing so, he is withholding representation from Grijalva’s constituents, which is troubling and contradictory to democratic values.
His behavior echoes the tactics employed by former Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell in 2016 when he blocked consideration of President Obama’s Supreme Court nominee, Merrick Garland, claiming that the vacancy shouldn’t be filled by a “lame duck president.”
Yet, just weeks before the 2020 election, McConnell quickly moved to fill another Supreme Court vacancy with Trump’s nominee. Such shifts raise questions about the principle of letting the public have a say.
Doesn’t this sound familiar? Johnson’s approach mirrors McConnell’s, sidelining the norms for party gain.
This kind of leadership only heightens public cynicism and makes those who try to adhere to established norms appear foolish. Americans deserve far better than this.
