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A political storm surrounding the "Jeffrey Epstein files" is tearing apart the partisan structure of the U.S. Congress. On Wednesday, California Democratic Representative Eric Swalwell posted on X that "over a hundred Republican lawmakers are preparing to ignore Trump's will and support the release of the complete Epstein files."

Swalwell wrote, "I spoke with many Republican lawmakers this week, and they admitted that Trump's influence is fading." "As one of them said, 'The Epstein bomb is about to explode, and no one wants to defend a pedophile.'"

He later added that a Republican lawmaker even texted him that if the "discharge vote" to release the files was initiated, over 100 Republicans would defect. Swalwell wrote, "Trump would go crazy."

This statement caused a big stir on social media. Some conservatives criticized Swalwell for "making baseless claims" without naming any Republicans. However, within Congress, these "signs of betrayal" have become a real political signal.

Epstein Files: From Department of Justice "Blockade" to Congressional "Decryption Movement"

Last weekend, Republican Representative Thomas Massie said he had collected 218 signatures, enough to initiate a vote. This means that Congress has an opportunity to break through the leadership's obstruction and force a vote on whether to release the full files of the Epstein case.

However, House Speaker Mike Johnson delayed this process due to the government shutdown crisis, putting Congress into recess, which angered Democrats and some Republicans.

House Speaker Mike Johnson

Swalwell and Massie accused Johnson of "deliberately delaying to protect Trump." Especially Arizona's newly elected representative Adelita Grijalva, who hasn't taken office yet — her signature is considered "the crucial vote." Johnson claimed it was just "a technical reason," unrelated to the file issue.

Nevertheless, the situation seems to be getting out of control. Marjorie Taylor Greene, from Trump's "hardcore faction," openly stated that she had signed in support of releasing the files: "I have never felt such great pressure on any issue. This time is really different. When it comes to a 14-year-old girl being raped, there is no gray area."

Her statement shocked the Republican Party internally, making the "release of the files" a focus of public opinion across parties.

Trump and the "File Bomb": A Moment of Division in the MAGA Camp

Since 2024, the handling of the Epstein files by Trump's administration and the Department of Justice has been controversial. In July this year, the Department of Justice and FBI jointly issued a statement: "There is no further need or reason for disclosure."

This statement was seen as completely negating former Attorney General Pam Bondi's previous promise to "release the client list." The news sparked anger within the conservative community. MAGA supporters questioned, "Who exactly is Trump protecting?"

Now, this division has spread to Congress. One side is still vowing to defend Trump, while the other is concerned about "political self-destruction" among moderate Republicans.

As Swalwell wrote on X: "Trump's movement is waning, and the shadow of Epstein is devouring him."

A Dual Test of "Justice and Loyalty"

The struggle around the "Epstein files" is not only a political confrontation but also a game of justice, truth, and power protection.

In recent years, Trump has used "loyalty" as the sole pass for his political camp — anyone who wavers or questions is labeled a "traitor." But now, as the Epstein case files are pushed back into the spotlight, this party order centered on personal worship is facing an unprecedented collapse.

Firstly, the moral split. Many centrist and younger Republican lawmakers believe that continuing to cover up high-level individuals potentially involved in the Epstein case will completely destroy the public's trust in the Republican Party.

"If we are still covering up for a former president suspected of concealing a sexual assault case, then this party is finished," said an unnamed Republican lawmaker to the media. For them, the release of the files is not just a transparency issue, but a symbol of "cutting ties with darkness."

Secondly, the backlash of political reality. Although Trump's second term allowed him to regain executive power, his control over members of Congress has significantly declined. As the rumors about the "Epstein list" continue to escalate, if the names in the files are related to Republican donors or political business allies, the party may face a comprehensive conflict between the "self-preservation faction" and the "loyalty faction."

A long-time analyst of congressional voting trends pointed out that this conflict "may materialize into a party group split in the coming months," even directly affecting candidate nominations and fundraising systems in the 2026 midterm elections.

Finally, the ideological fracture. Trump-style populism rose in 2016 under the banner of "anti-establishment," but now it has been entangled in one of the most institutionalized scandals — a network of sexual crimes protected by power. This irony has left many conservative intellectuals and grassroots supporters speechless. The "evangelical" and traditional conservative factions within the Republican Party are beginning to reassess their alliance with Trump.

It can be anticipated that if the files are ultimately released and reveal the involvement of higher-level figures, the Republican Party may experience "open factionalization": one side represented by radicals like Greene and Massie continues to defend Trump, while the other side consists of the "purification faction" led by moderates and new generation lawmakers, advocating to draw a clear line with the old power.

This division could determine the fate of the Republican Party before the 2028 election — whether it continues to be held hostage by Trump or rebuilds a party capable of facing reality.

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7559205513188983305/

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