Endangered GOPer Puts Protecting Epstein’s Secrets Ahead of Seating Tucson’s Duly-Elected Member of Congress

October 8th, 2025

TUCSON – It’s a question on the minds of many in southern Arizona: Why is Congressman Juan Ciscomani working to protect Jeffrey Epstein instead of standing up for Southern Arizona?

So far, Ciscomani has sided with Speaker Mike Johnson, who has refused to seat duly-elected Adelita Grijalva—and in the process has denied Tucson a representative on key committees that have major influence over issues in Arizona. Johnson— and apparently Ciscomani — have refused to swear in Grijalva because she will likely be the 218th signature on a bipartisan discharge petition to force a vote on legislation to release the Epstein Files.

Speaker Johnson’s refusal to entertain legislation to release the files has raised real questions over how much the documents would reveal wrongdoing by President Trump.

Arizona Democratic Party Chairwoman Charlene Fernandez called on Ciscomani to reverse course and do the right thing.

“It’s time to make sure Southern Arizona’s newly elected representative is sworn in immediately,” Fernandez said. “Juan Ciscomani has the power to influence the Speaker’s decision to delay Grijalva’s swearing in, but so far he’s refused. He seems to have more loyalty keeping the Epstein Files under lock and key than he does to Tucson and we deserve to know why.”