Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) dropped a political bombshell during an appearance on MSNBC’s The Last Word Tuesday night: the Jeffrey Epstein scandal could lead to a government shutdown. While this might sound like political theater, Krishnamoorthi claimed GOP infighting and grassroots pressure from the MAGA base are turning the issue into a full-blown legislative crisis.

Speaking candidly about behind-the-scenes conversations with Republican colleagues, Krishnamoorthi said, “They are under a lot of pressure on this one from their base.” He alluded to former President Trump’s past ability to weather politically damaging controversies, but warned that this situation feels different. “There seems to be an unusual amount of pressure from the most right wing of the MAGA base and members of Congress who represent them.”

At the center of the storm are growing demands for transparency regarding Epstein’s vast trove of files—some of which reportedly implicate powerful figures across politics, finance, and global elites. Trump supporters and even some Democrats have called for full disclosure of names and materials tied to Epstein’s decades-long sex trafficking operation.

But according to Krishnamoorthi, the refusal to release those files—and the Republican infighting it’s fueling—has paralyzed broader legislative efforts. “My constituents are saying… release the files, bring full transparency and accountability,” he said. “But they’re also saying, get to our business… which has come to a standstill because of this Epstein issue.”

The looming crisis? A fast-approaching September 30 government funding deadline.

“If this thing continues to linger,” Krishnamoorthi warned, “they’re not going to disclose the files. The fracturing within the Republican Party is going to grow. Then we’re coming up on a September 30th deadline to fund the government—and we could possibly be looking at a shutdown of government caused by the Epstein affair.”

The idea that an unresolved scandal involving a deceased pedophile financier could derail the nation’s budget process may sound far-fetched, but the political landscape suggests it’s not impossible. The House GOP majority has been fragile and factionalized for months, with several members vocally demanding the unsealing of Epstein court records and threatening legislative obstruction if their calls go unanswered.

Meanwhile, Democrats are increasingly using the controversy to highlight what they see as GOP dysfunction and conspiracy-mongering. But Krishnamoorthi’s comments mark a shift: he’s not just dismissing the Epstein uproar—he’s admitting it’s paralyzing Congress.

And that’s where the risk of a shutdown becomes real. If hardline Republicans stall appropriations over demands tied to Epstein disclosures, and leadership fails to unify the party, it could trigger yet another funding crisis.

For now, the question remains: Will Congress cave to public demands and release the Epstein files? Or will the shadow of one of America’s most notorious scandals grind the federal government to a halt? Either way, the coming weeks could prove explosive.