The returning head of the House Republican campaign committee says President-elect Trump’s convincing 2024 White House victory gives the GOP plenty of home field advantage as the party aims to defend its razor-thin majority in the 2026 midterm elections.

“The battlefield is really laying out to our advantage. There are 14 Democrats who won seats also carried by Donald Trump. There are only three Republicans in seats that were carried by Kamala Harris. So that tells me we’re going to be on offense,” National Republican Congressional Committee chair Rep. Richard Hudson emphasized in a recent Fox News Digital interview.

Trump carried all seven crucial battleground states and, for the first time in three presidential elections, won the national popular vote as he defeated Vice President Harris last month.

VANCE TO LIKELY BE 2028 GOP PRESIDENTIAL FRONT-RUNNER, BUT RNC CHAIR ALSO LIKES PARTY’S ‘BENCH’

The Republicans also flipped control of the Senate from the Democrats, and even though they had a net loss of two seats in the 435-member House, they’ll hold a fragile 220-215 majority when the new Congress convenes next month.

Eight years ago, when Trump first won the White House and the GOP held onto their House majority, Democrats targeted roughly two-dozen Republicans in the 2018 midterms in districts Trump lost in the 2016 election.

The Democrats, in a blue-wave election, were successful in flipping the House majority. 

Fast-forward eight years, and it’s a different story, as this time Republicans will be defending seats on friendly turf in districts that the president-elect carried.

“There’s a whole lot more opportunity for us to go on offense,” Hudson, who’s represented a congressional district in central North Carolina for a dozen years, touted.

SENATE REPUBLICAN CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE CHAIR SPELLS OUT HIS 2026 MISSION

Hudson also made the case that House Republicans who will once again be targeted by the Democrats in the upcoming election cycle are “really battle tested. I mean, they’re folks who’ve been through the fire before. They’ve gone through several cycles now with millions of dollars spent against them.”

“They’ve been able to succeed because they work very hard in their districts. They’ve established very strong brands, as you know, people who know how to get things done and how to deliver for their community,” he emphasized. “The Republicans who are in tough seats are our best candidates.”

The three House Republicans who are in districts that Harris carried last month are Reps. Don Bacon of Nebraska, Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, and Mike Lawler of New York.

Now-President-elect Donald Trump greets Rep. Richard Hudson of North Carolina, the chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC), on the fourth day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum on July 18, 2024, in Milwaukee. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

But there will be a big difference in 2026: Trump, who helped drive low propensity voters to the polls this year, won’t be on the ballot in the 2026 midterms. 

“I certainly would rather have him on the ballot because he turns out voters that don’t come out for other candidates,” Hudson acknowledged.

But he argued, “If you look at the way this race is shaping up, we campaigned on a key set of issues of things that we promised we would deliver. If we deliver those things and have Donald Trump there with us campaigning with our candidates, I believe we can drive out a higher percentage of those voters than we have in midterms in the past.”

Hudson said Trump “was a great partner” with House Republicans this year and will be again in the upcoming election cycle.

“[Trump] cares deeply about having a House majority because he understands that a Democrat House majority means his agenda comes to a grinding halt. And so he’s been very engaged, was a very good partner for us this last election, and I anticipate that continuing.”

Rep. Richard Hudson of North Carolina, the chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee, is interviewed by Fox News Digital on Dec. 11, 2024, in Washington, D.C. (Fox News – Paul Steinhauser)

Hudson, who is returning for a second straight cycle chairing the NRCC, said that at the top of his committee to-do list are candidate recruitment and fundraising.

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“I mean, first thing, we’ve got to go out and recruit candidates. You know, candidate quality matters. And then we’ve got to go raise the money. And so I’ll be on the road and be out there helping our incumbents. But I’m looking forward to it,” he emphasized.

Fox News’ Emma Woodhead contributed to this report

Editors note: Fox News Digital also interviewed Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee chair Rep. Suzan DelBene of Washington. That report will be posted on Friday.

A series of Israeli airstrikes targeted Sanaa, Yemen’s Houthi-controlled capital, early Thursday, igniting fires at energy facilities and at the Red Sea port city of Hodeida.

“The targets struck by the [Israeli military] were used by the Houthi forces for military purposes,” a statement said. “The strikes degrade the Houthi terrorist regime, preventing it from exploiting the targets for military and terrorist purposes, including the smuggling of Iranian weapons to the region.”

Israeli forces carried out the strikes on the ports and energy infrastructure in Yemen following the firing of Houthi missiles that were shot down before reaching Israeli territory, according to IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari.

US FORCES TARGET HOUTHI WEAPONS STORAGE FACILITIES IN YEMEN OVER THE WEEKEND: CENTCOM

“Rocket and missile sirens were sounded following the possibility of falling debris from the interception,” the Israeli military said. 

Sirens sounded near Tel Aviv and the surrounding areas, and a large explosion was heard overhead at the time. The Houthis did not immediately claim the missile attack, but said a statement would be issued within hours, following a pattern of how the group claims their assaults.

ISRAELI STRIKE KILLS HEZBOLLAH SPOKESMAN IN BEIRUT; AT LEAST 30 DEAD IN GAZA AIRSTRIKES

The Houthis have carried out attacks on Israel and shipping in a campaign to support the Palestinians as Israel continues its war on the Gaza Strip, which has killed more than 45,000 people, according to the Hamas-controlled Gaza Healthy Ministry.

Strikes impacted the Red Sea port city of Hodeida in Yemen. The picture above is from a previous attack on the town. (ANSARULLAH MEDIA CENTRE/AFP via Getty Images)

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The terrorist group has targeted more than 100 merchant vessels since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in October 2023.

Houthi-controlled media outlets currently offer no information on the damage or casualties from Thursday’s strikes.

A dog who went missing in Tennessee will be reunited with his family after he was found injured in a ravine on Wednesday.

A Tennessee Department of Transportation crew was removing a tree from the 2400 block of State Route 48 in the city of Dickson when they “heard a sound coming from a nearby creek,” the agency said on Facebook.

When they went to check the noise out, workers found an injured dog stuck in a ravine, prompting them to alert a nearby Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper, who was working a traffic assignment, for help.

MISSING DOG RESCUED AFTER SPENDING 18 HOURS STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY: OWNER WAS ‘PANICKED’

The TDOT crew, the trooper, Dickson Electric utility workers and a private citizen teamed up to rescue the pup.

They created a makeshift gurney to lift him out of the ravine safely and took him to the Humane Society of Dickson County (HSDC) to be treated for his injuries.

DEPLOYED SOLDIER PLEADS FOR RESCUE OF PUPPY FOUND OVERSEAS: ‘PART OF MY SOUL’

A TDOT worker also returned to the shelter a couple of hours later to donate a pallet of dog food, according to HSDC.

One of the members of the Tennessee Department of Transportation crew that participated in the rescue also donated a pallet of dog food to the Humane Society of Dickson County. (Tennessee Department of Transportation/Facebook)

“We’re told the dog is undergoing treatment, and we’re hopeful for its speedy recovery,” TDOT said on Facebook. “We’re thankful to those employees who were willing and able to answer the call for help.”

Tennessee Highway Patrol posted bodycam video of the dog’s rescue on Facebook on Wednesday, dubbing him “Trooper,” and asked for help locating his family.

The dog, who was named “Trooper” by the Tennessee Highway Patrol, is actually named Apollo and his family has been in contact with the humane society. (Tennessee Department of Transportation/Facebook)

Through the power of social media, the dog – whose name is actually Apollo – was recognized, and his owner has been in contact with DCHS, the shelter said Wednesday night.

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“Together we CAN make a difference in the lives of the innocent,” the humane society said in a post celebrating Apollo’s rescue.

The deputy mayor of Los Angeles was placed on leave after an investigation allegedly determined he made a bomb threat against City Hall earlier this year.

FOX 11 in Los Angeles reported that LA Deputy Mayor Brian Williams’ Pasadena, California home was raided by the FBI on Tuesday in connection with an investigation into a bomb threat against City Hall back in September. The FBI did not make any arrests at the time of the search.

On Wednesday, LA Mayor Karen Bass’s office released a statement on Williams’ being placed on leave.

“The Mayor’s Office was notified that the FBI searched the home of Deputy Mayor Brian Williams yesterday as part of an investigation into a bomb threat he allegedly made against City Hall earlier this year,” LA deputy mayor of communications Zach Seidl said in the statement provided to Fox News Digital. “He was immediately placed on administrative leave. The Mayor takes this matter very seriously.”

NEW LOS ANGELES DA PROMISES ‘HARD MIDDLE APPROACH’ IN BID TO RESTORE LAW FOLLOWING GEORGE GASCON’S REIGN

Seidl also said when the threat was reported, the Los Angeles Police Department investigated the matter and concluded that there was no immediate danger to the building.

After further investigation, the LAPD referred the matter to the FBI for investigation.

NATHAN HOCHMAN OUSTS EMBATTLED LIBERAL PROSECUTOR GEORGE GASCON AS LA COUNTY DA AMID CRIME CONCERNS

LA Mayor Karen Bass’ office confirmed Deputy Mayor Brian Williams had been suspended after an investigation that he allegedly made a bomb threat to City Hall in September 2024. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)

Police said in a statement that an investigation determined Williams was likely the “source of the threat.”

“Due to the department’s working relationship with Mr. Williams, the investigation was referred to the FBI,” the LAPD said in the statement. “The FBI remains the investigating agency.”

LOS ANGELES OFFICIALS STILL ON ‘PROGRESSIVE WARPATH’ DESPITE OVERWHELMING VOTER REBUKE OF LEFTIST POLICIES

LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 02: A view of Los Angeles City Hall. Twin Towers Correctional Facility on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023 in Los Angeles, CA. (Getty Images)

No additional information was released about the ongoing investigation.

The station reported that Williams began working in Bass’ office in March 2023, and was tasked with working with the police and fire departments, along with other critical safety departments.

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Before joining the Mayor’s team, he served as the executive director of the Los Angeles County Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission for seven years.

ABC News has inked a new deal with his longtime anchor George Stephanopoulos as he cost the network millions in its lawsuit settlement with President-elect Donald Trump, according to reports. 

Stephanpoulos, who reportedly made up to $18 million per year in his previous contract, was at the center of a defamation suit that was settled with Trump last week, but reports say the timing between the settlement and his new contract were coincidental. 

ABC News did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital‘s request for comment. 

DISNEY, ABC NEWS CONTINUE TO TAKE HEAT FOR MASSIVE TRUMP SETTLEMENT: ‘LOW, LOW POINT’

The extension to Stephanopoulos’ contract followed reports of alleged behind-the-scenes drama at the Disney-owned network. Variety reported that Stephanopolous was “blindsided” by his bosses’ decision to settle the defamation lawsuit and that he was “unhappy” with the result. 

Network insiders had cast uncertainty whether the settlement would impact Stephanopoulos’ future at ABC, according to Variety’s report. However, hours after that story was published, The Los Angeles Times broke the news of the anchor’s extension at ABC.

The lawsuit stemmed from an exchange Stephanpoulos had with Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., in March on his Sunday program “This Week” in which he claimed ten separate times Trump was found “liable for rape,” when the jury in the E. Jean Carroll civil case actually determined him to be liable for “sexual abuse,” which has a distinct definition under New York law.

GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS DOESN’T MENTION ABC NEWS SETTLEMENT WITH TRUMP’S DEFAMATION LAWSUIT ON HIS SUNDAY SHOW

President-elect Donald Trump speaks during a news conference at Mar-a-Lago, on Monday, Dec. 16, 2024, in Palm Beach, Fla.  (AP/Evan Vucci)

Initially, the “Good Morning America” co-host was defiant in the face of Trump’s lawsuit, telling CBS’ Stephen Colbert that he wouldn’t be “cowed out of doing my job because of a threat.”

“Trump sued me because I used the word ‘rape,’ even though a judge said that’s in fact what did happen. We filed a motion to dismiss,” Stephanopoulos told Colbert. 

A judge ultimately tossed ABC News’ motion to dismiss Trump’s lawsuit and settled with the president-elect in December before entering a costly trial. 

LIBERALS UNLOAD ON ABC’S SETTLEMENT WITH TRUMP, DEFEND GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: ‘KNEE BENT, RING KISSED’

ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos falsely said former President Trump was found “liable for rape” multiple times during an interview with Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C.  (Screenshot/ABC News)

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According to the settlement, ABC News will pay $15 million as a charitable contribution to a “Presidential foundation and museum to be established by or for Plaintiff, as Presidents of the United States of America have established in the past.” Additionally, the network will pay $1 million in Trump’s attorney fees.  

Stephanopoulos and ABC News also had to issue statements of “regret” as an editor’s note at the bottom of an article on ABC News’ website. The note reads, “ABC News and George Stephanopoulos regret statements regarding President Donald J. Trump made during an interview by George Stephanopoulos with Rep. Nancy Mace on ABC’s This Week on March 10, 2024.”

Liberal critics from rival networks including CNN, NBC and MSNBC accused ABC News of “bending the knee” to Trump.

Fox News host Sean Hannity calls out House Republicans for the stopgap funding bill that was released in an effort to avoid a government shutdown in his opening monologue Wednesday on “Hannity.” As of Wednesday, the U.S. national debt – which is a measure of what U.S. taxpayers were on the hook for to the nation’s creditors – had passed $36 trillion, and showed no signs of slowing down, with a projected $2 trillion deficit for 2025.

SEAN HANNITY: Tonight, it appears that Donald Trump will be faced with yet another Biden-era disaster when he takes office in January. This one might involve a government shutdown. 

Now, that continuing resolution now in Congress, it is a total, unmitigated disaster. It’s hard to fathom after this election that these elected officials, they think that the government, as usual – the swamp as usual – is going to continue. It’s not. This would fund the government through March, but at what cost? Raise the debt ceiling. At what cost? Why should Donald Trump have to raise the debt ceiling when it’s Joe Biden’s problem? 

Now, this bill is over 1,500 pages. It spends so lavishly on pet projects – let’s see, a new bridge in Baltimore along with an additional $100 billion for vague disaster relief programs and another 10 billion in farm subsidies. The resolution also expands the federal bureaucracy, funding a new Office of Telecommunications Spectrum Management and a new National Blockchain Deployment Advisory Committee. 

HOUSE GOP LEADERS SCRAMBLE FOR PLAN B AFTER TRUMP, MUSK LEAD CONSERVATIVE FURY AGAINST SPENDING BILL

The spending bill also gives the state of Maryland a group of National Guard fighter jets. It also transfers ownership of RFK Stadium from the federal government to Washington, D.C. Why are we giving them our stadium? In other words, you paid for it, a hugely valuable asset owned by the American taxpayers. What, given to far-left residents of the D.C. swamp? 

Now, for some reason, this bill also makes clothing, textile imports from Haiti duty free, but bans lithium batteries from other countries. Explain that one. The cherry on top of all this continuing resolution is a pay increase for members of Congress. That’s right. I think they worked a whopping 138 days, if my count is correct, a pay increase that actually few deserve. And for more than a decade, lawmakers have worked an average of about 140 days per year. That’s all they work. It’s a part-time job. 

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And sadly, as a whole, their work has been unacceptable. Our budget is out of control. The bureaucratic state is a nightmare. The executive branch is rarely held in check. As I’ve been saying, it is time to get back to constitutional order.

The 1,547-page interim spending bill to avoid a government shutdown is effectively dead. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has all but yanked the plan off the floor after President-elect Trump, Vice President-elect Vance and Elon Musk torched the package to avoid a government shutdown this weekend and fund the government through March 14.

Had House Republicans had the votes to pass the bill – without leaning too heavily on Democrats – Republicans may have been able to pass the bill late Wednesday afternoon before the intervention of Mssrs. Trump and Vance. But there was just too much grassroots pressure, sparked by Musk on X and elsewhere.

HOUSE GOP LEADERS SCRAMBLE FOR PLAN B AFTER TRUMP, MUSK LEAD CONSERVATIVE FURY AGAINST SPENDING BILL

The stopgap spending package proved unpopular due to its size, and various legislative ornaments festooned on the bill like a Christmas tree. Conservatives were expecting Johnson to handle the spending plan differently this year at the holidays. But it backfired. Badly.

It’s notable that Mr. Trump did not weigh in until the 11th hour. He also demanded a debt ceiling increase. That’s something which faced the President-elect in the first quarter of the year and threatened to derail any legislative agenda or potentially spook the markets.

Johnson’s decision to veer off course – despite touting the bill heartily on Fox this morning – underscores several things.

This is a sign of things to come once President-elect Trump is in office. And that could present problems for Johnson as he may be at the whim of decisions by the new President?

Why did Johnson pull the bill?

It was wildy unpopular with his rank and file. But it devolved further once Musk and the President-elect got infused themselves. 

MATT GAETZ REPORT BY HOUSE ETHICS COMMITTEE TO BE RELEASED

In many respects, Johnson’s decision to pull the bill was all about January 3. That’s the day of the Speaker’s vote. With 434 members to start the new Congress, Johnson needs 218 votes. Otherwise, he lacks a majority and cannot become Speaker. The House must vote repeatedly – as it did in January 2023 – before electing former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) five days later in what was the longest Speaker’s race since the 1850s. 

Johnson tried to salvage himself in the Speaker’s vote by adding emergency agriculture spending to the bill. But Johnson is now trying to salvage himself by coming up with a new bill. 

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) listens during a news conference following the Republican conference meeting at the U.S. Capitol on January 17, 2024, in Washington, DC. (Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)

The irony is that Johnson did not want to create drama before Christmas with a spending package. But drama is exactly what he got in what quickly became the worst Congressional holiday standoff since the fiscal cliff in 2012 or a government shutdown threat in 2014.

So here’s the $64,000 Question: What play does Johnson call next?

Does he do a clean CR to fund the government with nothing attached? Is it a bill that just re-ups current funding coupled with disaster aid? Do they attach a debt ceiling suspension as President-elect Trump has requested?

RFK JR SET TO FACE ABORTION, VACCINE SCRUTINY IN SIT-DOWNS WITH SENATORS ON CAPITOL HILL

And then the biggest question of all: can ANYTHING pass at all? Especially without votes from the Democrats?

Johnson has a tranche of conservatives who won’t vote for any CR at all. Many of them would also not vote for a debt ceiling increase, either. 

And even if there is a new bill, do conservatives insist on waiting three days to ponder that bill? That triggers a government shutdown right there.

The US Capitol in Washington, DC, on Monday, Nov. 11, 2024.  (Stefani Reynolds/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

The deadline is 11:59:59 pm ET on Friday.  

So this is going to require someone to pull a rabbit out of a hat. 

President-elect Trump’s maneuver today is reminiscent of a similar move he made in December 2019, which sparked the longest government shutdown in history. 

Then-Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), then-Appropriations Committee Chairman Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) and others thought they had a deal to fund the government and avoid a Christmas-time shutdown. 

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The Senate voted for the bill. Senators even sat in the back of the chamber and sang Christmas carols during the vote. 

Mr. Trump then balked at the last minute. House Republicans followed suit. The government shut down for more than a month. 

A 28-year-old detention officer in Texas is dead after allegedly being attacked by an inmate while he was returning the inmate to his cell.

During a news conference Tuesday, Ellis County Sheriff Brad Norman revealed that Officer Isaiah Bias was killed Monday during the alleged attack at the jail. 

“It’s with great sadness that we stand here today and acknowledge the loss of one of our own. … Isaiah Bias, 28 years of age, was a dedicated detention officer with over six years of service to the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office,” Norman said.

Norman called the alleged attack by 45-year-old suspect Aaron Thompson “pure evil” but did not disclose details about how Bias was killed.

FLORIDA SHERIFF MOURNS ‘REALLY GREAT’ DEPUTY KILLED DURING TRAFFIC STOP; SUSPECT LATER KILLED

“Most of the time, law enforcement officers and detention officers deal with good folks having a bad day. Occasionally, we deal with bad folks,” Norman said. “I can honestly say that my staff over the last day has dealt with pure evil.”

Norman said Thompson was charged with capital murder, adding he would be recommending the death penalty.

CHICAGO-AREA POLICE OFFICER KILLED WHILE RESPONDING TO ‘ARMED OFFENDER’ AT BANK, SUSPECT CHARGED

Isaiah Bias, a detention officer at the Ellis County, Texas, jail, died Monday after allegedly being assaulted by an inmate. (Ellis County Sheriff’s Office)

“It was a heinous, horrific, purposeful murder that was senseless and not needed,” Norman said. “The ultimate decision will be made by the district attorney’s office, whether or not they seek the death penalty in this case. If I have anything to say about it, that’s exactly what will happen, but the ultimate decision lies on the DA’s office.”

According to an arrest warrant affidavit obtained by KDFW, Thompson punched Bias, knocking him to the ground, and then allegedly began choking and hitting him in the head with his fist, knee and foot.

The affidavit said Thompson then went to a table and sat down, leaving Bias in a “large pool of blood.”

Thompson was booked into jail last month on three counts of assault on a public servant and evading arrest and was in solitary confinement for 23 hours a day, Norman said.  

Norman said he met Bias when he was a teenager in the jail’s explorer program. 

CHICAGO LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS ID SUSPECT, ANNOUNCE CHARGES IN MURDER OF POLICE OFFICER

During a news conference, Ellis County Sheriff Brad Norman said detention Officer Isaiah Bias was killed after being attacked by an inmate Monday. (Ellis County Sheriff’s Office)

“He wanted to be in law enforcement. He came in to work for the jail,” Norman said. “You can work in the jail when you are 18. You can’t be a peace officer in Texas until you’re 21,” Norman said.

Norman also described Bias as a “very family-oriented person” and said he had just become an uncle a week before his murder.

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“His sister’s baby was a week old, and he was able to see the baby the day it was born,” Norman said. “He loved what he did. The people around him loved him. Law enforcement was a career path he loved.”

The Texas Rangers have taken over the murder investigation. Thompson was arraigned, and his bond was set at $2 million.

Stepheny Price is writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. Story tips and ideas can be sent to [email protected]

Ohio state Rep. Josh Williams introduced the O.H.I.O. Sportsmanship Act after the brawl that took place after Michigan’s 13-10 victory over Ohio State in December.

Both Travis and Jason Kelce expressed their displeasure with Williams’ new bill. 

“We have the Ohio State anti-flag planting law officially put into effect. Ohio State representative Josh Williams introduced the O.H.I.O. Sportsmanship Act on Tuesday in an attempt to curb flag planting attempts, or also an attempt to be petty as f—,” Jason said during a recent episode of “New Heights.“

“The bill would prohibit planting a flagpole and flag in the center of the Ohio State football field on the day of a college football game and to name this act the O.H.I.O. Sportsmanship Act. I don’t like it. I’m not gonna lie.”

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Travis added, “When I think of the Ohio State Buckeyes, I think of just toughness. Man, I think it’s just — I just don’t think this is a toughness type move.”

While Travis was gentle with his criticism, Jason was not. 

“Feels soft,” Jason said. 

The former Philadelphia Eagles star doesn’t think it was Williams’ place to do anything about the fight that took place between the bitter rivals. 

“That’s for the NCAA to determine, not an Ohio state representative. Get the f— out of here, Josh,” Jason said. 

“What are you going to do arrest him? Is that what you’re saying? You are going to arrest the guy.” Travis said.

The Kansas City Chiefs tight end may not like the bill, but he understands its premise.

OHIO LAWMAKER LOOKS TO OUTLAW FLAG PLANTING AT BUCKEYES’ STADIUM AFTER MICHIGAN BRAWL

Davison Igbinosun #1 of the Ohio State Buckeyes grabs a Michigan flag following his teams defeat against the Michigan Wolverines at Ohio Stadium on November 30, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio.  (Jason Mowry/Getty Images)

“I get it, you want to have sportsmanship. You want to have all that, but I don’t want to s— on anybody. It is what it is,” Travis said.

“We don’t need fist fights, and this antagonizes that, but at the same time, this is just doing a lot. It’s doing a lot, but shout out to the Buckeyes. Shout out to the Wolverines.”

Jason agreed with his brother, saying there is no place for fist fights or anything of that ilk, but he doesn’t want the bill to take away from the best parts of college football’s rivalries. 

“This is all just posture, and it’s just petty, and I don’t like it. I don’t think it’s cool. I think it’s stupid. Some of the best parts about the rivalries are when dumb things happen like this. Obviously, it was over the top, and there was full-on fist fights and tear gas,” Jason said.

In the melee, “multiple officers representing Ohio and Michigan deployed pepper spray,” leaving multiple Michigan players rubbing their eyes, according to a statement from Ohio State police. 

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Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) gives his gloves to a fan following a game against the Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field.  (Scott Galvin-Imagn Images)

In a social media post, Williams said he was “proud” to introduce the bill, saying that “behavior that incites violent brawls and puts our law enforcement officers in danger has no place on the football field.”

Planting a flag at midfield at Ohio State is now a felony. 

Both schools were fined $100,000 by the Big Ten Conference for violating its sportsmanship policy.

Fox News’ Paulina Dedaj contributed to this report. 

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