ABC's Jon Karl Busts Mike Johnson Blaming 'Pelosi Precedent' for His Refusal to Swear in New Congresswoman
Source: MEDIAite
Oct 19th, 2025, 2:26 pm
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) got brutally fact-checked by ABC’s Jon Karl over what Johnson called “the Pelosi precedent” for delaying to swear in an elected Democratic lawmaker. Karl asked Sunday when Johnson was going to finally swear in Representative-elect Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ), who was overwhelmingly elected by her constituents weeks ago to fill her late-father’s congressional seat.
“As soon as we get back to legislative session, when Chuck Schumer allows us to turn the lights back on,” Johnson answered, referring to the government shutdown over the issue of expanding health care benefits in the stalled continuing resolution.
“Why haven’t you done it already?” Karl asked. “Because this is the way the institution works…I’m following the Pelosi precedent, by the way. When my dear friend from Louisiana, Julia Letlow, was elected to fill the seat of her deceased husband because of COVID, Nancy Pelosi took 25 days to swear her in.” Karl promptly pushed back — and got Johnson to retreat.
KARL: Are you saying that Nancy Pelosi refused to swear her in earlier?
JOHNSON: No, I’m saying — that’s — my very point is, this is the normal process —
KARL: Because my understanding is, that was the date that actually the representative-elect, Letlow, at the time, requested.
JOHNSON: No. OK, here’s some more examples, OK.
KARL: No, no, but wait a minute, you mentioned “the Pelosi precedent.” But Pelosi didn’t delay that. She — she gave the date that —
JOHNSON: No, no, let me give you more of the Pelosi precedent, OK?
KARL: And what about the Johnson precedent? I mean, you swore in two Republicans the day after their election.
Read more: https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/abcs-jon-karl-busts-mike-johnson-blaming-pelosi-precedent-for-his-refusal-to-swear-in-new-congresswoman/
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Last edited Sun Oct 19, 2025, 08:27 PM - Edit history (1)
So when the moment arrives where they can push back on an obvious lie (or “misstatement”), they are prepared. But that takes work and research. And anticipation of topics that will come up. Finally, it takes nerve to confront a lie in real time. If you are going to be a journalist, confrontation comes with the territory. When did that go away?
There is nothing I like more than when a liar is called out. The image of Little Mike stammering humm-an-a, humm-a-na is delicious. 
