Spare a thought for those poor, unfortunate Republicans who came to office hoping to drain the swamp. They proudly strode into Washington in lockstep behind Donald Trump, assuring their constituents that they were in full agreement with his promise to release the Epstein files and expose whoever was inside. Smash cut to the present, and it’s safe to say this plan has backfired. Trump made a sudden and panicked U-turn on releasing the Epstein files, leaving Democrats to take up the baton and push for their disclosure. Then came the horrific “birthday book”, the apparent deals with Ghislaine Maxwell, and the general stink of a cover-up. And those Republicans who sincerely thought they were going to be dragging the secret activities of the modern era’s most notorious pedophile into the light? They’re stuck not only voting against the release of the Epstein files but having to support a president who was apparently up to his eyeballs in this sick world of abuse. So perhaps it’s no wonder that the general mood is miserable. Now Representative Eric Swalwell says many have concluded enough is enough, particularly as something big is apparently coming: One Republican just texted me that if there’s a discharge vote on Epstein they expect a “jail break” of over 100 members. Trump will go nuts!— Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) October 8, 2025 Perhaps take this with a pinch of salt. I mean, sure, I can understand that Republicans aren’t happy about being forced to be loyal to Trump even as his links to Epstein are exposed, but I’d assume that any thoughts of rebellion they had would be overridden by their cowardice and obedience. Rats from a sinking ship Then again, if they know for certain what’s in the files and have concluded that their release is now inevitable, it’s time to hurl themselves off the Trump train at the earliest opportunity. Even rats know to abandon a sinking ship, and far better to get out now than let your reputation be tainted as Trump goes down. It seems we’ll just have to wait and see whether this comes to pass. Who knows, those who’ve already bravely put their head over the parapet on this issue – like Marjorie Taylor Green – may have made the smartest political decision of their careers. In the meantime, grab some popcorn, as the Trump administration’s internal drama will be simply delicious if it tears itself apart.