Rep. Thomas Massie has suggested that the real reason behind the latest government shutdown battle isn’t just budget disputes — it’s fear. Specifically, fear of what could happen if the long-sealed Jeffrey Epstein client list is ever made public. According to Massie, Washington elites are desperate to maintain control, using shutdown theatrics to distract from deeper truths. The budget standoff, he argues, is a smokescreen to protect powerful individuals from exposure and accountability. Massie criticizes the system of secrecy, sealed files, and selective justice, calling the shutdown a tool of manipulation rather than fiscal responsibility. He believes that true transparency — especially regarding Epstein’s connections — would unravel the current power structure in D.C. and reveal why many in Congress fight so hard to avoid sunlight. In his view, the real question isn’t whether the government will shut down, but what it’s trying to keep hidden from the public.
