Politics
The Capitol Fox, Euthanized After Attacks, Tests Positive for Rabies
WASHINGTON — A fox that bit a minimum of 9 folks on Capitol Hill, presumably together with a congressman, examined constructive for rabies on Wednesday, in keeping with metropolis well being officers, after she had been euthanized in a grim flip in an episode that had briefly captivated those that reside and work round Congress.
“The D.C. Public Well being Lab has confirmed the fox that was captured yesterday examined constructive for the rabies virus,” a press release from the town’s well being company mentioned, advising anybody who had come into contact with the animal or its offspring to succeed in out to the authorities. “D.C. Well being is contacting all human victims who had been bitten by the fox.”
Washington well being officers mentioned earlier within the day that the fox had been euthanized in order that she might be examined for rabies, eliciting an outpouring of sorrow for an animal that had turn out to be one thing of a mascot throughout its temporary wanderings close to the Capitol. However in an period of pandemic precautions and phone tracing, the prognosis prompted hypothesis about who may need been uncovered.
Consultant Ami Bera, a California Democrat who had reported being bitten by a fox close to the Capitol on Monday evening and was handled quickly after, mentioned on Wednesday that he felt “wholesome” and was again to work.
Ximena Bustillo, a meals and agriculture coverage reporter for Politico who had also been bitten on Tuesday, mentioned she was not contacted by D.C. Well being officers in regards to the constructive rabies check earlier than the announcement turned public.
It was not instantly clear what further measures could be taken for the native fox inhabitants after the constructive check. No different foxes had been discovered on the Capitol Hill grounds, an earlier D.C. Well being assertion mentioned, however it could not be unusual to see extra.
The standing of different chew victims was unknown. Therapies for rabies, which could be deadly, ought to be began “as quickly as doable after publicity,” in keeping with the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention.
The late vixen’s kids — referred to as kits — had been additionally discovered on the Capitol grounds and recovered on Wednesday morning, D.C. Well being mentioned. Officers mentioned they had been nonetheless figuring out what to do with the kits.
The Capitol fox, as she was christened earlier within the week as she roamed the grounds of the Capitol, was captured by animal management officers from the Humane Rescue Alliance on Tuesday afternoon. The Capitol Police and the Humane Rescue Alliance didn’t say on the time what would occur to the animal, referring inquiries to the town’s well being division.
Her presence had turn out to be a springtime diversion on Capitol Hill this week as lawmakers, aides and journalists reacted with bewilderment, admiration and a touch of concern to studies of a wild fox on the unfastened, biting and nipping at passers-by.
Senate leaders had been requested at information conferences if they’d seen her. Photographs and movies of foxes scurrying out and in of bushes and chasing squirrels on the grounds filtered onto social media. The Capitol Police repeatedly warned occupants in opposition to approaching the fox. Ms. Bustillo was bitten from behind in broad daylight.
After which got here the revelation that Mr. Bera had been bitten throughout what he described as an unprovoked encounter on Monday evening, and had acquired remedies for tetanus and rabies — seven photographs that evening, one in both buttocks — at Walter Reed Nationwide Navy Medical Middle.
“Regardless of the dustup, I maintain no grudge or ailing will in opposition to” the Capitol fox, Mr. Bera mentioned hours earlier than the announcement that she was put down — and later that she was rabid. He had wished her a contented and affluent future.
“Consultant Bera is gloomy to be taught of this information,” a spokesman mentioned earlier than the announcement of the check outcomes.
Metropolis well being officers didn’t say if they’d linked this fox to the assault in opposition to Mr. Bera.
However they made it clear that it was as much as people to forestall additional fox killings.
“D.C. Well being won’t be doing a roundup of wholesome foxes within the space,” the assertion mentioned, including that the company “solely intervenes to take away wildlife if they’re sick or injured or the place an publicity to people has occurred and rabies testing could be warranted.”
In different phrases: Avoid wild foxes, regardless of how gentle their fur appears to be like or how lovable their little eyes are. And no matter you do, don’t get bitten by one. Lives are on the road.
Mark Walker contributed reporting.
Politics
Dem leader condemns Thanksgiving bomb threats against liberal lawmakers after Team Trump targeted
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries condemned several threats, mostly focused on lawmakers from Connecticut, targeting members of his caucus, just days after numerous threats were made against President-elect Trump’s cabinet selections.
Jeffries, D-N.Y., confirmed in a statement Friday that several Democrats were targeted with threats ranging from pipe bombs in their mailboxes to “swatting” — or filing a false police report on another person’s behalf that often results in a SWAT team being dispatched.
All of the threatening messages were signed “MAGA,” Jeffries said, adding law enforcement found no ordnance at any of the targeted lawmakers’ homes.
“America is a democracy. Threats of violence against elected officials are unacceptable, unconscionable and have no place in a civilized society. All perpetrators of political violence directed at any party must be prosecuted to the full extent of the law,” he said.
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“House Democrats will not be deterred or intimidated from serving the people by violent threats. We have been in close communication with the Sergeant at Arms office and it is imperative that Congress provide maximum protection for all Members and their families moving forward.”
After Jeffries spoke out, Rep. Seth Magaziner, a Democrat from neighboring Rhode Island, announced on Friday afternoon that his home had been targeted, as well. Magaziner said Providence police responded quickly and no one was harmed.
Sen. Christopher Murphy, D-Conn., had his home targeted by a bomb threat. A spokesperson said it appeared to be part of a “coordinated effort.”
Five other Democrats from the Constitution State received similar threats, including Reps. Joe Courtney, John Larson, Rosa DeLauro, Jahana Hayes and James Himes.
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“There is no place for political violence in this country, and I hope that we may all continue through the holiday season with peace and civility,” said Himes, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee who replaced Sen.-elect Adam Schiff, D-Calif.
Prior to that spate of threats, Trump’s U.N. ambassador-designate Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., said she was traveling home to her North Country district for Thanksgiving when she was informed of a threat against her home.
Former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla. — Trump’s initial choice for attorney general — also received a threat.
Former Rep. Lee Zeldin, R-N.Y. — Trump’s nominee to lead the Environmental Protection Agency — said his home was subjected to a “pro-Palestinian-themed” pipe bomb threat. Zeldin is Jewish.
Former Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, R-Ore., whom the president-elect tapped for Labor secretary, said her Oregon home was targeted, as was that of former San Diego Chargers cornerback Scott Turner, whom Trump named to lead the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Trump nominees including Cantor-Fitzgerald CEO Howard Lutnick, America First Policy Institute President Brooke Rollins and former Fox News host Pete Hegseth also received threats.
In a statement, the FBI said it is aware of “numerous bomb threats and swatting incidents targeting incoming administration nominees and appointees, and we are working with our law enforcement partners.”
“We take all potential threats seriously and, as always, encourage members of the public to immediately report anything they consider suspicious to law enforcement,” it said.
Fox News’ Kevin Ward contributed to this report.
Politics
Capitol rioter's defamation suit against Fox News is dismissed
A Delaware court judge has dismissed a defamation lawsuit against Fox News filed by a Jan. 6 rioter who said the network falsely identified him as an FBI informant.
U.S. District Court Judge Jennifer L. Hall granted Fox News’ motion to dismiss the suit filed last year by Ray Epps.
Now based in Utah, Epps alleged his life was upended after former Fox host Tucker Carlson repeatedly described him as a federal agent who helped instigate the attack on the Capitol, which was an attempt to stop the certification of the election of Joe Biden.
Carlson described Epps as a principal in a false flag operation in which the government incited the Jan. 6 riot, an unfounded conspiracy theory. He made the false comments about Epps on his program over a period of nearly two years and in a series called “Patriot Purge” that streamed on Fox Nation in 2022.
In her remarks from the bench, Hall said Carlson did not act with malicious intent.
Fox News welcomed the judge’s decision, which is the third consecutive defamation case to be decided in favor of the network after the record $787-million settlement it paid to Dominion Voting Systems in April 2024.
Dominion said its business was damaged by false claims Fox News presented regarding voting fraud in the 2020 election. Fox News chose to settle the case rather than have its executives and on-air talent take the witness stand in a trial.
A separate defamation suit filed by Nina Jankowicz, the former head of the federal Disinformation Governance Board, was dismissed in July. Another case brought by Tony Bobulinski, a former business partner of Hunter Biden, was thrown out on Tuesday.
“Fox News is pleased with these back-to-back decisions from federal courts preserving the press freedoms of the First Amendment,” the network said in a statement.
Epps was at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, and pleaded guilty in January to a misdemeanor charge for his role in the riot.
Epps testified under oath to the House committee investigating the attack that he had no involvement with the FBI, which has also stated publicly that he had no association with the bureau.
The lawsuit claimed Epps and his wife received threatening voice mails, emails and text messages because of Carlson‘s comments. Epps told the CBS news magazine “60 Minutes” that the lies ruined his Arizona-based business and led to death threats.
Carlson’s prime-time program was pulled from the Fox News lineup on April 24, 2023, the day after Epps appeared on “60 Minutes.”
Politics
Political betting markets still have plenty of action despite end of election season
The end of the election season does not mean the end of political betting, with many platforms allowing users to place wagers on everything from the 2028 election to who will be confirmed to President-elect Donald Trump’s Cabinet.
“Some people will be amazed by this, but people are already betting on 2026 and 2028,” Maxim Lott, the founder of ElectionBettingOdds.com, told Fox News Digital. “There’s been about a quarter million dollars bet already.”
The comments come after the 2024 election produced plenty of betting action, with users across multiple platforms wagering over $2 billion on the outcome of the latest race.
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While mega sporting events, such as the Super Bowl and the recent Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul fight, gives gamblers plenty to wager on after the election, those looking for something political to bet on will still have plenty of options.
One of the most popular topics is who will be the nominees for both major parties in 2028, with ElectionBettingOdds.com showing California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Vice President-elect JD Vance being the current leaders for Democrats and Republicans, respectively.
Other names with a significant amount of attention for betters include Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer for the Democratic nomination, while Vance is trailed by names like entrepreneur and future head of the new Department of Government Efficiency Vivek Ramaswamy and Donald Trump Jr. on the Republican side.
“The big Democratic governors are favored to be the next nominee,” Lott said, noting that Vance currently holds a sizable lead over other options on the GOP side.
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Vance is also the current betting leader on who will win the 2028 presidential election, ElectionBettingOdds.com shows, followed by Newson and Shapiro as the next two likely options.
However, Lott warned it is still too early to tell what the future holds, noting that the markets will start to provide more clarity as more information becomes known over the next few years.
“As the future becomes clearer… as we get closer to 2026, 2028, these odds will change,” Lott said. “So if the Trump administration is doing really well, the economy is booming, inflation is not out of control, wars are ending, Vance’s odds will certainly go up.”
Bettors also are not limited to wagering on elections, with platforms such as Polymarket allowing users to place bets on Trump’s picks to serve in his Cabinet and whether they will be confirmed. Bettors can also place wagers on questions such as if they believe the war in Ukraine will end in Trump’s first 90 days or if there will be a cease-fire in Gaza in 2024.
According to Lott, taking a look at the current betting odds for many scenarios can help inform you about what is going on in the world, even if you do not place bets yourself.
“People often ask… is there any value to this… it’s just gambling. It’s silly,” Lott said. “But actually it’s very useful… if you want to know what’s going to happen in 2028 or if the Trump administration is going to be a success, you could read 100 news articles on it. Some will misinform you. Or, you can just go to the prediction markets and see… is Vance a 20% chance of becoming the next Republican nominee or is he a 90% chance? That tells you a lot.”
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