Is the real reason for this shutdown is to protect Trump from the release of the Epstein

[Wiz Imp]

15. Several things.

Representative Grijalva can be sworn in at any time the Speaker wants to. Johnson is just using the shutdown as an excuse. He could still refuse to swear her in even if the government weren't shut down.

A vote on the Epstein files legislation can't happen until the House convenes for regular session. Technically, Johnson could continue to refuse to convene the House even if/when the shutdown ends and some people expect that to happen.

Once a vote on that legislation finally does take place, it does nothing by itself to get the Epstein files released. The legislation will still need to be passed by the Senate (highly questionable to happen) and then signed by Trump (not a chance in hell of that ever happening).

So, no, they did not shut down the government to prevent the House from passing legislation that has zero chance of ever becoming law.

A legitimate reason they don't want that vote to take place is it will force every Republican to officially go on the record as prioritizing protecting pedophiles. They know that would not go over well even with many of their MAGA constituents so they don't want it to happen. But regardless of what Republicans do, the vote WILL happen at some point.

But it's likely the only way the files get released is if at least 2/3 of the House and 2/3 of the Senate back the legislation so they can override Trump's veto.