Terrifying theory why US government has shut down as we were 'one signature away' from pivotal moment

Conspiracy theorists claim the ‘real reason’ that the US government has temporarily shut down is because of a political pledge that would force a major vote to take place.

Today (October 1), the US government shut down for the first time in almost seven years after a stopgap funding bill failed in the Senate.

A bill approved by the House of Representatives was put forth by Republicans on Tuesday (September 30), only for it to fail in a 55 to 45 vote in Congress. The action required 60 votes to pass.

Deep partisan divisions have therefore set off what Reuters described as a ‘long, grueling standoff that could lead to the loss of thousands of federal jobs.’

It’s understood that the government shutdown, the first since 2018, is likely to put a temporary halt to most US government services.

The BBC reported that some essential workers will continue in their roles, but may not be paid for their efforts. Though members of Congress will continue to receive their pay during the shutdown, as required by the US Constitution, the outlet stated.

The White House previously responded to the shutdown threat, claiming 'a lot of people' would be laid off.

"They’re going to be Democrats," alleged US President Donald Trump.

Despite the stalemate being credited to Democrats refusing to support a Republican plan to extend funding for federal departments, some conspiracy theorists claim that the government's ceasing operations is perhaps related to the late Jeffrey Epstein.

Investigative journalist Amber Woods took to social media yesterday (September 30) and wrote: “For the record, we are one signature away from exposing Epstein’s network…cue the government shutdown.”

Woods’ X comment relates to Democrat Adelita Grijalva’s victory in a special House election in Arizona, with 68.9 percent of the vote on September 23.

According to The Hill, the 54-year-old politician confirmed she would be the deciding 218th signature on a discharge petition designed to compel the Justice Department to disclose documents relating to convicted child sex offender Epstein.

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and House Republican leaders said Grijalva would be sworn in once the House returns to regular session, depriving the petition of the last signature it needs for more than a week.

Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-Va.) did not swear in Grijalva during Tuesday’s pro forma session, telling the press: “Historically, you do it when the House is in session other than pro forma.”

Taking to X, the Tucson Democrat wrote: “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."

Meanwhile, another X user typed: “It's because they don't want you to be the deciding vote on the discharge petition to release the Epstein Files. Right @SpeakerJohnson?”

MSNBC has reported that Grijalva may not be sworn in as Congress’s newest member until October 7, the day members will allegedly return to work.

The Discharge petition, filed on September 2, will force the House to vote on whether or not to keep the Epstein files under wraps, as per AZPM News.

Once Grijalva signs, House rules require a waiting period of seven legislative days. The speaker must allow a vote within two legislative days, which means there could be a result as soon as October 20.

Trump has previously blasted Republicans who have added their signatures to the documents, claiming via Truth Social that he is ‘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 pledged during his 2024 election campaign that he would release the Epstein files, with the Department of Justice handing over one-third of the documents to the House Oversight Committee, according to NBC News

However, many were quick to notice that many of the records that Trump released were already public. Some were also heavily redacted.

In July, an unsigned Justice Department memo concluded that there was no proof of a so-called Epstein ‘client list’, despite conspiracy theorists being convinced on the matter.

Speaking about constant calls to release further information about the disgraced American 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.”