Some conspiracy theorists are suggesting that the temporary shutdown of the US government is actually linked to a political pledge that could instigate a significant vote.
On October 1, the US government experienced its first shutdown in nearly seven years after a stopgap funding bill did not pass in the Senate.
The House of Representatives, led by Republicans, had earlier introduced a bill on September 30, which ultimately did not pass, garnering only 45 votes against the required 60 in Congress.
Reuters highlighted that deep political divisions have resulted in a “long, grueling standoff that could lead to the loss of thousands of federal jobs.”
This government shutdown, the first since 2018, is expected to temporarily suspend many US government services.
While some essential personnel will continue to work without pay, members of Congress will still receive their salaries, as mandated by the US Constitution, as reported by the BBC.
The White House addressed the shutdown threat, indicating that ‘a lot of people’ might lose their jobs.
US President Donald Trump commented, “They’re going to be Democrats.”
Though the impasse is attributed to Democrats’ refusal to back a Republican proposal for continued federal department funding, some conspiracy theorists connect the government’s standstill to the late Jeffrey Epstein.
Investigative journalist Amber Woods posted on social media on September 30, stating: “For the record, we are one signature away from exposing Epstein’s network…cue the government shutdown.”
Woods’ comment refers to Democrat Adelita Grijalva’s win in a special House election in Arizona on September 23, where she secured 68.9 percent of the vote.
The Hill reports that Grijalva, 54, announced she would be the crucial 218th signature on a discharge petition compelling the Justice Department to release documents related to convicted child sex offender Epstein.
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and House Republican leaders indicated that Grijalva would be sworn in once the House resumes regular session, delaying the petition’s final signature for over a week.
Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-Va.) did not swear in Grijalva during Tuesday’s pro forma session, stating: “Historically, you do it when the House is in session other than pro forma.”
Grijalva expressed on X, “I came to the Capitol, ready to be sworn in and get to work for the people of Southern Arizona. Instead, Speaker Johnson chose to delay, denying our community the representation we deserve.
“Earlier this year, two Republicans in Florida were sworn in during pro forma sessions less than 24 hours after their elections. The fact that Southern Arizona is being treated differently raises serious questions about political motivations – especially since I have pledged to become the 218th signature on the discharge petition to force a vote on the Epstein files.
“Every day that Speaker Johnson delays is another day Southern Arizonans are left without a voice in Congress and without essential in-district services,” she added. “With federal budget negotiations happening now, our community deserves a seat at the table – not partisan obstruction.”
Another user on X commented: “It’s because they don’t want you to be the deciding vote on the discharge petition to release the Epstein Files. Right @SpeakerJohnson?”
According to MSNBC, Grijalva might not be sworn in as the newest member of Congress until October 7, when members are expected to return to work.
The Discharge petition, submitted on September 2, aims to compel the House to vote on whether or not to release the Epstein files, as covered by AZPM News.
Once Grijalva signs, a seven legislative day waiting period is required by House rules. The speaker must then schedule a vote within two legislative days, potentially leading to a result by October 20.
Trump has previously criticized Republicans who have signed the documents, stating on Truth Social that they are ‘doing the Democrats’ work.
“I don’t want their support anymore!,” he added, referring to Reps. Thomas Massie, Nancy Mace, Marjorie Taylor Greene, and Lauren Boebert.
The businessman vowed during his 2024 election campaign to make the Epstein files public, with the Department of Justice providing one-third of the documents to the House Oversight Committee, according to NBC News.
However, observant individuals quickly noted that many of the records Trump released were already public or heavily redacted.
In an unsigned memo from July, the Justice Department concluded that there was no evidence of an Epstein ‘client list’, despite conspiracy theorists’ beliefs.
Addressing ongoing demands for more information about the disgraced financier, the 47th POTUS wrote: “The Department of Justice has done its job, they have given everything requested of them.
“It’s time to end the Democrat Epstein Hoax, and give the Republicans credit for the great, even legendary, job that they are doing.”