Federal Judge Dismisses Defamation Suit Against Fox News by Raymond Epps
A federal judge dismissed Raymond Epps's defamation lawsuit against Fox News on Friday. Epps had accused the network of broadcasting inaccurate claims that he was a government operative during the January 6, 2021, US Capitol attack. The ruling marks the second time a court has rejected the case brought by the former Trump supporter and Oath Keepers member.
winnipegfreepress.comA federal judge on Friday dismissed a lawsuit alleging defamation by Fox News. The ruling came for a second time against Raymond Epps, a former supporter of Donald Trump who claimed he became the target of death threats after the network broadcast inaccurate conspiracy claims about his involvement in the January 6, 2021, US Capitol attack.
Raymond Epps, a former Oath Keeper member, said he was the target of conspiracies over his role in the US Capitol attack.
He was wrongly accused by Fox News of being a government operative who allegedly stirred violence around the Capitol that day. According to Epps, the reports led him and his wife to sell their ranch in Arizona and relocate to a recreational vehicle to avoid ongoing harassment.
The former marine and onetime member of the far-right Oath Keepers group had argued that the network's coverage caused him significant harm.
The dismissal ends the latest legal effort by Epps to hold Fox News accountable for its reporting on his actions during the Capitol events. No further details on potential appeals were immediately available.
Key Facts
Story Timeline
3 events- 2021-01-06
US Capitol attack occurred with Raymond Epps present.
1 sourceThe Guardian - 2023-2024
Fox News aired reports on Epps's role that he said caused death threats.
1 sourceThe Guardian - 2026-05-09
Federal judge dismissed Epps's defamation lawsuit against Fox News for the second time.
1 sourceThe Guardian
Potential Impact
- 01
The ruling prevents Raymond Epps from pursuing further defamation claims against Fox News in this case.
- 02
Epps continues to face personal harassment stemming from public accusations about his Capitol role.
- 03
Media organizations gain legal clarity on reporting conspiracy theories related to January 6 participants.
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