Veteran campaign consultant James Carville is warning that Democrats need to keep their eyes open for Republican hijinks as the election nears.
The Daily Beast reported that Carville was responding to listener emails for his podcast, "Politics War Room," when someone asked about Speaker Mike Johnson "playing games" with the swearing-in of Arizona Democrat Adelita Grijalva, despite her winning the special election after Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-Az.) passed away. The younger Grijalva was ultimately sworn in, but Johnson appeared to be dodging a discharge petition, forcing the bill over releasing the Jeffrey Epstein files
The listener expressed fear that Johnson could refuse to swear in Democrats if they take over Congress. It's a very real concern, agreed co-host Al Hunt.
Both men suggested that Democrats begin speaking with the "best" lawyers now so they are prepared to go to court. Hunt cautioned, "There's nothing that they won't do" to cling to power.
Carville said he agreed. "And also just send as many early warning things as you can. Warn people they’re going to try this. The best defense against all this is an early warning system, some version of NORAD."
NORAD runs the early warning system, prepared to respond if the U.S. is under attack.
“You cannot talk about it enough. It’s too dangerous, and they’re going to try. You have to have not just good lawyers. You have to have good preparation. You’ve got to be ready to go when it happens, to stoke what I think would be huge outrage in this country,” Carville said.
Carville acknowledged that it's a heavier lift than many might believe, particularly when compared with other kinds of election-specific hijinks.
"I’m not saying they’re not going to try, but I think it’s going to be very hard for them to do, very hard, particularly when you’re forewarned," he explained.
“But they’re going to try, no question," Hunt maintained.
Despite Republican success with mid-decade redistricting and gerrymandering to eliminate Democratic-leaning seats, the GOP is still expected to lose the House in the election. There is an overwhelming anger from voters with Congress over the inability to accomplish legislative solutions to deal with the affordability crisis, the government shutdowns and stop Trump's war in Iran.
Grijalva blasted Johnson in her first speech on the House floor, saying, “One individual should not be able to unilaterally obstruct the swearing-in of a duly elected Member of Congress for political reasons."