Republicans face a major test of MAGA's loyalty as they return to Congress with the Jeffrey Epstein scandal remaining in the news cycle.
President Donald Trump's hardcore supporters have splintered over the government's handling of the files on the late sex offender, which had long been the topic of right-wing conspiracy theories, and three key witnesses are expected to testify over the next month about the case, reported Axios.
"If the Epstein scandal fades, it will show even sharp breaks with Trump within the movement can be patched over when bigger fights emerge," the website reported. "If it explodes again, Republicans risk losing control of their end-of-year priorities — from government funding to a new crime bill."
Reps. Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Ro Khanna (D-CA) are seeking to force a House vote requiring the full release of the Justice Department files on Epstein, a longtime Trump associate who died in prison six years ago awaiting trial on additional sex trafficking charges.
The House Oversight Committee released more than 33,000 Epstein-related records Tuesday, but Massie told Axios that tranche "looks like a bunch of redacted documents and nothing new, so it's not going to suffice."
The Kentucky Republican and Khanna will hold a news conference Wednesday morning with 10 of the disgraced financier's victims, including some who've never publicly spoken out before, and the Oversight Committee – where House Speaker Mike Johnson wants to keep the Epstein case parked – will hear testimony in the coming weeks from three witnesses on the matter.
"FBI Director Kash Patel, a prominent purveyor of Epstein conspiracy theories before entering government, will testify publicly before the House Judiciary Committee on Sept. 18," Axios reported. "Former Trump Labor Secretary Alex Acosta, who approved a sweetheart plea deal with Epstein as a federal prosecutor in 2008, will appear for a closed-door interview with Oversight on Sept. 19."
"Attorney General Pam Bondi, who first enraged MAGA with a July memo concluding that Epstein died by suicide and did not have a 'client list,' despite her previous comments to the contrary, will testify publicly before the Judiciary Committee on Oct. 9," the reported added.
Their testimony could either put some concerns to rest about the Epstein matter or create new problems for the president and his GOP allies.
"I think there's growing consensus that Dems are intent on weaponizing it," said one MAGA media producer, "so I think we're content to let the admin do their thing at their own pace."
Some MAGA allies are willing to turn the page, as Trump directed them to do after the DOJ dropped the matter over the summer, but not everyone is willing to let Epstein go.
"MAGA prioritizes transparency, and there is clearly a strong desire for accountability on this issue," said MAGA influencer Jayne Zirkle. "The Epstein case has endured multiple news cycles so far, and I expect that to continue until the public gets some clarity."
Johnson helped ease pressure on congressional Republicans by sending them home early for recess as questions about the matter grew louder, but the issue has continued to simmer while lawmakers were away from Washington and should heat up with their return.
"Democrats have been in a position to force votes, and if they resume that, I think this conversation reignites and does so in a way where it'll split Republicans," said one veteran GOP strategist with extensive experience on Capitol Hill. "Because it's inevitable, because you have multiple committees who are focused on this right now…you just have to suck it up."