MAGA Mike Gets Sued as Shutdown Stunt Goes Wrong

Summary

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Podcast Summary: "MAGA Mike Gets Sued as Shutdown Stunt Goes Wrong"

Podcast: The MeidasTouch Podcast
Date: October 16, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas (MeidasTouch Network)

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Episode Overview

In this energizing and banter-filled episode, the MeidasTouch brothers dissect the political firestorm swirling around House Speaker Mike "MAGA Mike" Johnson. The central controversy: Johnson’s refusal to swear in Adelita Grijalva, the duly elected Congresswoman from Arizona’s 7th District, sparking a looming legal showdown with Arizona’s Attorney General, Kristen Mayes. The brothers contextualize this standoff within the broader chaos of the ongoing government shutdown and right-wing maneuvers to suppress transparency—specifically regarding the "Epstein files."

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Key Discussion Points

1. Arizona’s Legal Threat to Speaker Johnson

• [00:07] The episode opens with an explosive update: Democratic leaders, led by Congresswoman-elect Adelita Grijalva, are marching to Speaker Johnson's office, demanding her immediate swearing-in.

• Primary accusation: Johnson is unlawfully delaying Grijalva’s oath, despite Arizona certifying her clear victory (over 70% of the vote).

• The Arizona Attorney General Kristen Mayes sends a pointed letter—read aloud by the hosts—threatening immediate legal action if Johnson continues to block Grijalva.

  “Failing to seat Ms. Grijalva immediately, or to otherwise provide a reasonable explanation... will prompt legal action. We’re going to sue your ass, MAGA Mike.” – Ben Meiselas reading AG Mayes's letter ([03:05])

• Mayes’s legal argument: The House has no authority to delay a duly elected member's admission when their election and qualifications are unchallenged.

2. Arizona AG Kristen Mayes Doubles Down

• [07:21] Audio clip of Kristen Mayes on CNN, reiterating her intention to take Johnson to court.

  “We are going to have no other choice... if he doesn't quickly swear in Adelita Grijalva. She has no way to help those people in Southern Arizona who have been impacted by flooding. So many other things that she can and should be doing as an elected member of Congress. And so if I have to, I'll take him to court.” – Kristen Mayes ([07:21])

• Mayes accuses Johnson of using Arizona’s representation as a “bargaining chip,” possibly to prevent passage of a discharge petition that would force the release of the "Epstein files."

3. Statements from Arizona Leadership & Grijalva

• [09:58] Gov. Katie Hobbs, on the MeidasTouch Network and via a public statement, calls for Grijalva to be sworn in without delay:

  “Further delay undermines the will of Arizona voters... Speaker Johnson should swear in Adelita for Arizona now and honor democracy.” – Gov. Katie Hobbs ([09:59])

• Grijalva herself releases a statement, pointing out Speaker Johnson’s inconsistency, having previously seated Republican winners immediately—even during “pro forma” (recess) sessions.

  “Speaker Johnson is stalling because he knows I will be the 218th signature on the discharge petition to release the Epstein files. Any further delay reveals his true motive.” – Adelita Grijalva ([10:49])

4. MAGA Mike Johnson Responds … and Flails

• [12:28] Pressed by Fox News, Johnson tries to deflect questions about Grijalva and the Epstein files.

  • Notable Exchange:
    • Reporter: “Doesn't your resistance to not swear her in add fuel to the fire that this is about the Epstein files?” ([12:43])
    • Johnson: “No, let's talk about Grijalva and Epstein. Okay.” ([12:48]) – followed by evasive answers and an eye roll noted by the hosts.

• [12:58] When asked about his overall legislative shutdown “strategy,” Johnson blunders:

  “I don't have any strategy, Manu. I’m doing the right thing, the traditional thing… That’s exactly what Chuck Schumer voted for in March of this year.” – Mike Johnson ([13:14])

5. Grijalva and the Democrats’ Direct Action

• [13:36] Video statement from Grijalva outside Johnson’s office:

  “Certified. That means the governor, the Attorney General, and the Secretary of State have all said yes, she won... I came with a lot of my colleagues... demanding that I get sworn in. I’m going to be here for two days. Speaker Johnson, you want to swear me in?” – Adelita Grijalva ([13:36])

• Republican and right-wing responses, as relayed by the brothers, mock the Democratic "angry caravan" and misleadingly blame the government shutdown on Democrats.

6. The Right-Wing “Spin” and Hypocrisy

• [14:10] The hosts skewer MAGA Republicans for claiming “Mike wasn’t even there,” implying abdication of responsibility while millions of Americans face the fallout from the shutdown.

• They point out the hypocrisy of bailing out Argentina with $20 billion while threatening 20 million Americans’ healthcare.

  “$20 billion to bail out Argentina while 20 million Americans lose their health care. That’s Trump and MAGA Republican America: last priorities for you right there.” – Ben Meiselas ([14:44])

7. The Trump Factor and Epstein Files Underpinning

• [16:19] Press again confronts Johnson about why he’s breaking precedent; he insists, “We will swear her in when everybody gets back,” denying Epstein-related motives.

• The hosts speculate darkly that Trump ordered Johnson to stall, fearing Grijalva’s critical “218th signature” on the discharge petition to release the Epstein files.

  "Because the MAGA Republican Party is the party that covers up child sex trafficking rings. It's one of the things they're doing for this government shutdown." – Ben Meiselas ([15:33])

• [17:07] Trump praises Johnson in a rally setting, giving a “good boy” shout-out and reinforcing the dynamic of Johnson as a loyal foot soldier.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Ben Meiselas on the legal threat:

  “MAGA Mike is basically what Attorney General for Arizona Chris Mays is saying. The House of Representatives' uniquely democratic function makes frustrating the will of the voters... particularly egregious.” ([03:05])

• Kristen Mayes on Mike Johnson’s real motive:

  "No other reason that I can think of except that perhaps she's the final vote to discharge the Epstein files." ([07:54])

• Adelita Grijalva’s direct appeal:

  “I am simply asking him to abide by the same precedent he set when he swore on his Republican colleagues within 24 hours ... Any further delay reveals his true motive.” ([10:49])

• Mike Johnson’s defense:

  “I don't have any strategy, Manu. I’m doing the right thing, the traditional thing.” ([13:14])

• Ben Meiselas on GOP hypocrisy:

  “$20 billion to bail out Argentina while 20 million Americans lose their health care. That’s Trump and MAGA Republican America: last priorities for you right there.” ([14:44])

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Important Timestamps

| Time | Segment Description | |--------|---------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:07 | Opening monologue, legal background, and AG Mayes’s letter | | 07:21 | Kristen Mayes’s CNN interview, legal threat articulated | | 09:58 | Gov. Hobbs and Grijalva statements after certification | | 12:28 | Fox News presses Mike Johnson on Epstein files | | 12:58 | Johnson’s blundering answer about strategy to Manu Raju | | 13:36 | Grijalva’s video statement from D.C. outside Johnson’s office | | 14:44 | The brothers’ take on right-wing criticism and priorities | | 16:19 | Johnson questioned about breaking precedent | | 17:07 | Trump’s “good boy” praise of Johnson at rally |

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Tone and Performance

The episode combines the Meiselas brothers’ trademark blend of sharp political analysis, frustrated satire, and spirited support for democratic norms. Their tone is critical—especially of Johnson and the MAGA faction—while highlighting the urgency of legal and democratic accountability.

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Takeaway

The MeidasTouch trio delivers a comprehensive, impassioned breakdown of how Speaker Johnson’s political stalling isn't just petty partisanship, but a direct affront to democratic representation. They highlight the stakes for Arizona’s constituents, the potentially explosive link to the yet-unreleased Epstein files, and the heavy GOP hypocrisy at the core of the shutdown. The episode ends with a call for accountability and a reminder of what’s at stake for American democracy.

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Transcript

[Podcast Host]

Hey, Maga Mike Johnson, you're about to get served with a lawsuit. You saw right there the Democratic Congressional delegation marching in lockstep to Maga Mike Johnson's speaker office, demanding that Adelita Grijalva, the congresswoman elect From Arizona's silence 7th congressional district, finally be sworn in. Maga Mike is unlawfully preventing her from being sworn in. Now Arizona's Attorney General is saying, Maga Mike, I'm about to sue you. What you are doing is violating the law and Arizona is about to lay the smackdown on you. The attorney General from Arizona says, take a look right here, Maga Mike, we have the official certificate of election for Adelaide Litigree Halva. She's been officially certified in Arizona even though she won by over 40 points. And you've previously have sworn in people in pro forma session who've won by much smaller margin. It was not a contested outcome. We all knew that she was going to win. By the way, Maga Mike, even Marjorie Taylor Green says that you are a weak, pathetic little man. Marjorie Taylor Green right there. But here's the letter that was sent by Arizona Democratic Attorney General Kristen May Days to Maga Mike Johnson. Here's what she says. On behalf of the state of Arizona, Maga Mike Johnson, I added. Maga Mike Johnson, I demand that the Honorable Adelita Grijalva be sworn into office as the representative for Arizona's 7th congressional district and be allowed to assume her seat without further delay. Failing to seat Ms. Grijalva immediately or to otherwise provide a reasonable explanation as to when she will be seated will prompt prompt legal action. We're going to sue your ass. Maga Mike is basically what Attorney General for Arizona Chris Mays is saying. The House of Representatives uniquely Democratic function makes frustrating the will of the voters in selecting their representatives particularly egregious. A member of the House of Representatives holds the only proportionally and directly elected position in the federal government. And quote, it is particularly essential that the House should have an immediate dependence on and an infinite and an intimate sympathy with the people. Federals paper number 52, James Madison cited the House's sole power to originate certain consequential matters, such as revenue bills follows this status. Then she cites federalist number 586566 81. Alexander Hamilton cited there as well as you know, Maga Mike Johnson on September 23, 2025. I'm adding, by the way, Magna Mike Johnson. As you know, on September 23, 2025, Arizona's 7th congressional district held a special election to replace the late Raul Grijalva. Ms. Grijalva was elected with nearly 70% of the vote and unofficial results were provided to you by the Arizona secretary of state. Ms. Grijalva and the state expected that you would follow your usual practice and swear her into office at the earliest opportunity, just as you had done with five previous members elect in special elections were mostly all Republican. Specifically, you follow that process with Celeste Malloy, who was elected to Utah's 2nd district after Vince Fong was elected by California's 20th district, after Jimmy Petronas was elected by Florida's 1st district and after Randy Fine was elected by Florida's 6th district and after James Walkinshaw, the only Democrat there, was elected by Virginia's 11th district. Yet the House and its leadership is have yet to swear Ms. Grijalva into office. Today the Arizona Secretary of State will complete the canvas and the Governor will transmit to the House a certificate of election. Misre Halva no longer needs a House resolution to be sworn into office. With the House in possession of the certificate of election, it is now a simple ministerial duty to administer the oath of office. The effect of your failure to follow usual practice is that Arizona is down a representative from the number to which it is constitutionally entitled and more than 813,000 residents of Arizona's 7th congressional district currently have no representation in Congress. The, quote, loss of a Representative to the United States Congress undoubtedly satisfies the injury in fact requirement of Article 3 standing the standing to sue in federal court. It goes on to say the House and its leadership have acted ultra virus outside of authority and in violation of the Constitution. Quote, the Constitution leaves the House without authority to exclude any person duly elected by her constituents who meets all of the requirements for membership expressly prescribed in the Constitution. The House's power to exercise control over its membership is limited to its role as the quote, unquote judge of the elections, returns and qualifications of its own members. No one questions Ms. Grijalva's election or its returns or raises an issue of her qualifications. The House is without any authority to refuse her oath and admissions. You and your staff have provided ever shifting unsatisfactory and sometimes absurd stories as to why Ms. Grijalva has not been sworn in. It's particularly worrisome comment and aid connected the swearing in and admission to the ongoing budget fight suggesting that the House is trying to use Arizona's constitutional right to representation in the House as a bargaining chip. Arizona's right to a full delegation and the right of the residents of the Congressional District 7 to representation from the person they recently voted for are not up for debate and may not be delayed or used as leverage in negotiations about unrelated legislation. We thus demand that Ms. Grijalva be immediately sworn into office and admitted to her rightful seat. We ask that within two days of the date of this letter, you provide this office with your assurance of when and where that will take place, which must be immediate and prior to the date the House comes back into regular session. Should you fail to provide such assurance, we will be forced to seek judicial relief to protect Arizona and the residents of its 7th congressional district. Thank you for your attention and timely response. Attorney General Kristen Mays. Then Attorney General Mays went on CNN and she goes, if I have to, I am going to sue maga. Mike Johnson play this clip.

[Arizona Attorney General Kristen Mayes]

Yeah, I mean, I really think that we are going to have no other choice, Laura, except to take Speaker Johnson to court if he refuses to respond to if he doesn't quickly swear in Adelaide Grijalva, again, depriving her of the ability to help her constituents. We've had some flooding out here in Arizona. She has no way to help those people in Southern Arizona who have been impacted by that flooding. So many other things that she can and should be doing as an elected member of Congress. And so if I have to, I'll take him to court. You know, again, there's no legitimate reason for him to refuse to swear her in right now. No other reason that I can think of except that perhaps she's the final vote to discharge the Epstein files. And it's not fair for Mike Johnson to be holding the state of Arizona hostage because he doesn't want to release the Epstein files.

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[Podcast Host]

Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs was recently on the Midas Touch Network. She put out a statement Arizona voters have spoken and today their choice is official. Adelita Grijalva has been certified as the next representative for the 7th district. Further delay undermines the will of Arizona voters Speaker Johnson should swear in Adelita for Arizona in now and Honor Democracy. Adelita Grijalva put out the following statement. Speaker Johnson is stalling because he knows I will be the 218th signature on the discharge petition to release the Epstein files. Now ain't that the truth. Read my full statement below. Representative Elect Grijalva Statement on Certification of Election Results Quote Today's certification simply confirms what the voters made clear 21 days ago. We won this election decisively by more than 40,000 votes, said Representative Electric Halva. I want to thank Governor Hobbs, Attorney General Mays and Secretary Fontes for fulfilling their duties and standing up for for the more than 800,000 Arizonans who currently do not have a voice in Congress. They did their jobs. Now it's time for Speaker Johnson to do his. I also want to thank Attorney General Mace for her letter. I will continue to be in close contact with her as we explore legal options if the speaker continues to drag his feet. Speaker Johnson has exhausted every excuse to delay my swearing in. I am simply asking him to abide by the same precedent he set when he swore on his Republican colleagues within 24 hours of their special elections and during pro forma sessions earlier this year. Any further delay reveals his true motive. Speaker Johnson is stalling because he knows I will be the 218 signature on the discharge petition to release the Epstein files The cost of his obstruction is the silencing of over 800,000 Southern Arizonans who deserve to have a voice in Congress. It is also robbing them of the essential constituent service they count on every day, especially during this Republican government shutdown. Powerful words there. Now, MAGA Mike Johnson did a gigantic eye roll as Rupert writes in response to Fox News pressing him on the Epstein cover up. And that's why he's not swearing in Grijalva. Let's play this clip.

[Interviewer/Reporter]

You said last week that you would swear in whenever she wants. She's written a letter to your office. You've not sworn her in. Sessions.

[MAGA Mike Johnson]

Yes.

[Interviewer/Reporter]

Doesn't your resistance to not swear her in add fuel to the fire that this is about the Epstein?

[MAGA Mike Johnson (continued response)]

No, let's talk about, let's talk about, let's talk about Grijalva and Epstein. Okay.

[Podcast Host]

Next, MAGA Mike Johnson has asked, well, what's your end game here? Do you have a strategy? To which MAGA Mike says, we don't have any strategy at all. Play this clip.

[Interviewer/Reporter]

You've been doing this every single day coming up here, trying to pressure Senate Democrats.

[MAGA Mike Johnson]

They've been not budging.

[Interviewer/Reporter]

They blocked this bill time and time again. So at what point, for the good of the country, do you need to.

[MAGA Mike Johnson]

Change your strategy to try to negotiate.

[Interviewer/Reporter]

A deal with them?

[MAGA Mike Johnson (continued response)]

It's a great question. Manu asks, why don't I change my strategy? I don't have any strategy, Manu. I'm doing the right thing, the clearly obvious thing, the traditional thing. That's exactly what Chuck Schumer voted for in March of this year and gave impassioned speeches. Was the right and only thing have anything to negotiate.

[Podcast Host]

And then Adelita Grijalva, Congresswoman elect, put out the following video. Let's play it.

[Adelita Grijalva]

Hi, friends, Adelita Grijalva, your Congresswoman elect. I'm here in D.C. standing right outside of Speaker Johnson's office. I was certified today. Certified. That means the governor, the Attorney general and the Secretary of State have all said yes, she won. And now they're asking Speaker Johnson, demanding that he swear me in. So that's why I'm here. I came with a lot of my colleagues from the Democratic Caucus and the Women's Caucus. They all joined me in asking, demanding that I get sworn in. I'm going to be here for two days. Speaker Johnson, you want to swear me in?

[Podcast Host]

Meanwhile, this is how the MAGA Republican leadership and the right wing podcasters are spinning this. Republicans are brutally mocking congressional Democrats after they formed an angry caravan to March to Speaker Johnson's office and demand right to his face he swear in a Democrat representative elect. But Mike wasn't even there. One of the Democrat officials even rudely screamed at a Capitol police officer. The House isn't even conducting business. The Democrats shut down the government. Open it up and the new member will get sworn in.

[Podcast Sponsor/Ad Host]

Just.

[Podcast Host]

I'm. That's how the right wing argument is here. MAGA Mike wasn't even there. So you're bragging that the MAGA Republicans are out taking a vacation and refuse to talk to Democrats at all yet alone negotiate with them while 20 million Americans are about to lose their health care. While the MAGA Republicans just gave $20 billion to bail out Argentina. $20 billion to bail out Argentina while 20 million Americans lose their health care. $20 billion to bail out argentina while 20 million Americans lose their health care. Should we say it one more time? $20 billion to bail out Argentina while 20 million Americans are losing their health care. That's Trump and MAGA Republican America. Last priorities for you right there. Do you remember though, what was that last week or a week and a half ago where Manu Raju does a great job covering Congress? He asked Mike Johnson, so why not just swear her in and remember MAGA Mike Johnson's response? He's like, okay, let's schedule it. We'll do it. Just have her contact me. And then MAGA Mike got the order from Donald Trump. Do not do it. She'll be the 218th signature to release the Epstein files. MAGA Mike Trump will say, my name's. This is my hypothetical conversation. My name's all over those Epstein files. You gotta block that. Because the MAGA Republican Party is the party that covers up child sex trafficking rings. It's one of the things they're doing for this government shutdown. And all the American people know what these sicko MAGA Republicans are up to. Here's what MAGA Mike Johnson had to say. Play this clip.

[Interviewer/Reporter]

Earlier this year, you swore in two Republican members during a pro forma session. So why not swear in Adelina Grijalva who was elected two weeks ago during pro forma session. Does it have to do with her 218 signature on the discharge petition? The Epstein district?

[MAGA Mike Johnson (continued response)]

No, it has nothing to do with that at all. We will swear her in when everybody gets back. It's a ceremonial duty. Look, we'll schedule it, I guess, as soon as she wants. It has nothing to do with it. We're in pro forma session because there is nothing for the House to do. The House has done its job. People say, why don't you do more? Let's do more now. You should do something. We already did something. It was passing a clean cr.

[Podcast Host]

Then Donald Trump went to Maga Mike Johnson during a weird speech yesterday. Good boy. Good boy, Maga Mike. Good boy, Maga Mike. Watch this here. Play this clip.

[MAGA Mike Johnson]

Thank you very much. Many members of my cabinet are here, just about all of them here. I won't go into every single one of them, but I'll announce a few of the people that have really turned this country around and helped me. Incredible people. Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson. Where is Mike? Mike, what a job you're doing, Mike, what a job you're doing. And I watched you this morning and you're in there trying to say, look, just let the country open. Everything will be fine. We're dealing with some radical left lunatics and I would just wish Charlie was here to fight us. I think the fight would have been over already.

[Podcast Host]

There you have it, folks. Maga Mike about to get his ass sued. Everybody hit subscribe. Let's get to 6 million subscribers. Thank you for watching. Thanks for watching. Be sure to add the Midas Touch podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever.

[Podcast Sponsor/Ad Host]

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