A federal judge in Washington D.C. has dismissed the final outstanding claim in a lawsuit brought against Fox News by a journalist who was terminated from the network. The suit, filed by former journalist Jason Donner, centered on allegations that the network violated local sick leave laws.

Dismissal of Sick Leave Claim

Last Remaining Issue Resolved

U.S. District Judge Amir Ali ruled in favor of Fox News on Monday, dismissing Donner’s claim regarding sick leave. Donner had been fired in 2022 after an incident where he allegedly failed to provide adequate notice when taking a day off due to illness.

The judge determined that Donner’s actions were not shielded by the District of Columbia’s sick leave regulations. Fox News policy, as noted by the court, requires an ill employee to contact a supervisor as soon as possible, but no later than two hours after their scheduled start time.

Allegations of Political Retaliation

Donner's Claims Against Network Reporting

Earlier in the legal proceedings, Donner had presented separate claims asserting that his termination was part of a broader editorial "purge." He alleged that employees who refused to report information designed to "appease" then-President Donald Trump and his supporters during his first term were targeted.

Donner stated he was present inside the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. He claimed he contacted the control room to express outrage when Fox News initially characterized the rioters as peaceful demonstrators.

Fox News Response to Discrimination Claims

Fox News strongly denied any claims of discrimination against Donner. A representative for the network, Cooper, stated that while the amended complaint suggested termination stemmed from objecting to the network's editorial choices, no established public policy prevents Fox from severing ties with an employee who disagrees with its editorial direction.