'Just so you know': MAGA rep schooled live on CNN as he tries to dismiss scandal

MAGA Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) wasn't convinced of the merits of appointing a special counsel to investigate the elusive Jeffrey Epstein files when asked about conservative activist Laura Loomer's suggestion on Monday.

Loomer, who appears to have President Donald Trump's ear when it comes to firing "disloyal" White House staffers, has been calling for Attorney General Pam Bondi's ouster over her bungling of the Epstein issue.

Lawler told CNN's John Berman Monday, "I'm not exactly one to subscribe to conspiracy theories. So from my vantage point, if somebody committed a crime, if somebody affiliated with Jeffrey Epstein committed a crime, they should be prosecuted. In the absence of that, frankly, this seems like a colossal waste of time and effort, and frankly, a lot of nonsense."

Lawler added, "There are a lot of issues facing this country right now — a dead pedophile ain't one of them. And from my vantage point, you know, the world is a lot better off with Jeffrey Epstein no longer part of it."

But Berman pushed back."You say there's a lot of nonsense," he said. "A lot of nonsense from whom? Explain to me what you think the nonsense is here."

Lawler said he didn't understand why the news media was "continuing to cover" Epstein in comments that were reminiscent of President Donald Trump's frustration that the topic was still being discussed. Biographer Michael Wolff has claimed that the FBI may have photos of Epstein and Trump together with young girls, prompting both MAGA and Democrats alike to call for full transparency.

"At the end of the day, if there are people who were part of any crimes, then they should be prosecuted. But in the absence of that, what exactly are we looking to do?" Lawler asked.

Berman went on to explain why the story was still important.

"Just so you know, it's being covered because the deputy director of the FBI is said to have taken off work on Friday to protest the justice department's own handling of this. And there have been shouting matches reported inside the White House on this. So, whether or not you think it's important, apparently there are people who are quite agitated about it."

Watch the clip below via CNN.