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U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson dismissed accusations from
Democratic lawmakers that he deliberately delayed the swearing-in of a new
Democratic member.
Johnson argued that his actions were not motivated by
partisan motives but rather followed the precedent set during the
administration of Nancy Pelosi, the former House Speaker and Democratic
Representative from California.
The Republican leader maintained that his decision seeks to
maintain institutional coherence and respect for parliamentary procedures, rejecting
reports suggesting a political or personal motivation behind the delay. He also
categorically denied any connection between this situation and the so-called
"Epstein files," a set of court documents linked to the case of the
late financier Jeffrey Epstein, which some critics have cited as a possible
background to the matter.
Johnson emphasized that the House acts in accordance with
legislative rules and traditions, stressing that any suggestion of political
manipulation "is baseless and seeks to distract from the real work of
Congress." However, the controversy has rekindled tensions between
Republicans and Democrats, who continue to clash over control of the
legislative agenda and the interpretation of internal Capitol Hill procedures.