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Senator-elect Jim Justice’s team is clearing the air after it was reported earlier Tuesday that his famous pooch Babydog was banned from the Senate floor.

“Even though I wasn’t in D.C. today, I got the most headlines,” said Babydog and her team in an exclusive statement to Fox News Digital. “However, I hope that we really focus on bringing the things to this nation to fix our problems.”

Axios reported that Babydog Justice, the unofficial mascot of Justice’s campaign for Senate, was banned from the Senate floor. However, the Senator-elect has corrected the record.

In their reporting, Axios claimed that Justice asked if he could bring his pup on the Senate floor.

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Justice’s office clarified in an email that “the Senator-Elect has never had any intention of asking about or attempting to bring Baby Dog to the floor of the Senate.”

The confusion began over a well-meaning joke overheard during Tuesday’s Senate orientation between Senators-elect touring the Capitol grounds.

One unidentified Senator-elect asked if children were allowed on the Senate floor. It was clarified that babies up to one year are allowed, in accordance with rules in the House of Representatives.

According to Justice’s office, Senator-elect Moreno of Ohio then asked in jest if dogs were allowed to visit the Senate floor. Dogs are regularly allowed on Capitol premises, including elected officials’ offices, but not on the Senate floor.

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At no point during this interaction did Senator-elect Justice request to bring the popular pooch Babydog alongside him to the Senate floor, Justice’s office clarified.

The celebrity hound first made waves on a national scale over the summer at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee where she joined her dad, then-Governor Jim Justice, in a dog-sized chair on stage.

“I know that a lot of you want to meet my little buddy,” said Justice. “So if Babydog could come on out here.”

She has been a fixture in West Virginia politics since she was given to Justice by his children for Christmas in 2019.

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“Babydog will be with me frequently in Washington, and we welcome everyone to come by my office and say hello and meet Babydog when she is there,” said Senator-elect Justice in a release. “Just like she has loved and made so many people smile in West Virginia, she will do that in Washington too.”

Incumbent Republican Rep. David Valadao won re-election to the U.S. House in California’s 22nd Congressional District in the San Joaquin Valley. The highly contested race was considered to be a tossup.

Republican Gabe Evans was also declared the winner in Colorado’s 8th Congressional District on Tuesday night. Valadao and Evans’ victories now put the GOP two wins away from a majority in the House. 

The breakdown currently stands at: 216 Republicans to 206 Democrats. There are still 13 races to be called as of Tuesday evening.

The congressional race was a high-stakes rematch between Valadao and Democratic challenger Rudy Salas. Valadao, who has represented the district since 2013 – except for one term from 2019-21 – is one of the few Republicans to have survived in a largely Democratic-leaning district the last few years. The district also has more registered Democrats than Republicans.

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Valadao is known for his moderate positions that sometimes go against the more conservative wing of his party. He voted to impeach former President Trump, which made him both a target of Trump allies and a key figure for Democrats seeking to flip the seat. 

Salas, a former state assemblyman, sought to unseat Valadao after narrowly losing in 2022. Salas, who has strong ties to labor unions and the state’s agricultural workers, has aimed to mobilize the electorate in CA-22’s majority-Latino district, which encompasses parts of California’s Central Valley. 

The 22nd District has faced significant challenges, including water shortages, illegal immigration issues and economic concerns. Both candidates boast deep local roots.

In 2022, Valadao beat Salas by less than 4,000 votes.

Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., earned two more endorsements following what Republican senators described as a wide-ranging discussion with the three candidates to succeed outgoing Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.

According to Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, who held the leader candidate forum, the issues that Scott, Senate Minority Whip John Thune, R-S.D., and Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, were asked about included those that were procedural, substantive and policy-related — such as the debt deficit and illegal immigration.

The senators were also prompted on how closely they would work with President-elect Donald Trump’s administration. Lee, who endorsed Scott before even exiting the meeting, said that the Florida senator is “a little more aligned with the president’s agenda.”

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And while he doesn’t think Thune or Cornyn would “deliberately” seek to cause friction with Trump, he noted that “past can be prologue in some ways.”

Lee’s comment was presumably in reference to Thune’s once-fractured relationship with Trump, which he has since worked to repair. 

Thune left the forum expressing satisfaction with the discussion, telling reporters there were “lots of good questions.” When asked if he had a sense of the level of support behind him, the South Dakota Republican said, “you never know until the voters vote.”

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Scott also notched the backing of Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., directly following the forum. She endorsed him after asking the senators multiple questions, including “how they would give conservatives a more meaningful voice in the Senate and for specific details as to how they would immediately implement President Trump’s mass deportation operation,” a source familiar told Fox News Digital. 

Another Scott-endorser, Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., who was the first to back him last week, was particularly pleased with the meeting. “Regardless of the outcome, I think just that meeting alone is going to forge a better leader — whoever the conference likes,” he told reporters. 

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He further claimed one of the newly elected incoming senators was so impressed by the meeting that they said, “This is why I came here to have this kind of quality discussion.”

A Thune endorser, Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., told Fox News’ Chad Pergram that he thought “there’s a possibility” that someone could reach a majority of 27 votes on the first secret ballot. 

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Mullin also claimed Trump “could come in at the hour of the election.” The president-elect is slated to be on Capitol Hill Wednesday, the same day as the leader election, to meet with GOP lawmakers.  

Scott is publicly endorsed by additional Sens. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., Rand Paul, R-Ky., Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., and Marco Rubio, R-Fla. Cornyn is supported by Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., and Thune has the backing of Sens. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., and John Hoeven, R-N.D.

Many senators have not said who they will be voting for. 

The elections begin at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday. 

Republican challenger Gabe Evans has defeated Democratic Rep. Yadira Caraveo for Colorado’s 8th Congressional District, one of the nation’s most closely watched races, according to the Associated Press.

Evans previously served in the U.S. Army and Colorado Army National Guard as a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter pilot and company commander.

In addition to his service in the military, Evans, a first-term state representative from Fort Lupton, also served as an Arvada police officer for more than a decade. 

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Former President Trump gave Evans his “Complete and Total Endorsement” earlier this year, writing in a post to Truth Social, “A decorated Army helicopter pilot and police officer, Gabe will be an INCREDIBLE Fighter in Congress and will work hard to Grow the Economy, Lower Inflation, Uphold the Rule of Law, Defend the Border, Promote American Energy, and Support our Great Military and Police.”

Caraveo, a pediatrician, campaigned hard on abortion access and associated Evans with the policies and rhetoric of Trump.

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Immigration was a key issue during the campaign in a district that’s nearly 40% Latino and was expected to play a pivotal role in determining which party controls Congress.

Caraveo was one of 211 Democrats who voted against the Secure the Border Act of 2023. That measure, which passed in the House, would have expanded the type of crimes that make someone ineligible for asylum, limited the eligibility to those who arrive at ports of entry, mandated a system similar to the E-Verify employment eligibility verification system and created additional penalties for visa overstay.

Caraveo was also one of the many House Democrats who voted against a GOP-led effort in the House to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

During her previous tenure in the Colorado state House of Representatives, Caraveo joined other Democrats from across the nation to send a letter urging the Biden administration to relax immigration rules and “divest from immigration enforcement agencies like ICE and CBP.”

Colorado’s 8th District comprises most of Adams County, a large portion of Weld County, and part of Larimer County north of downtown Denver.

Fox News Digital’s Kyle Morris contributed to this report

President-elect Trump announced on Tuesday that he will appoint South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem to serve as secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in his upcoming administration.

Noem, who was once considered a potential running mate for Trump, has served as governor of the Mount Rushmore State since 2019. Before becoming governor, Noem was South Dakota’s at-large congresswoman from 2011 to 2019.

The DHS oversees U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), U.S. Secret Service and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).  Sources previously told Fox News Digital that Trump would select Noem to lead the DHS.

In a statement released on Tuesday night, the Trump campaign said that the South Dakota governor has a “very strong” track record on border security.

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“She was the first Governor to send National Guard Soldiers to help Texas fight the Biden Border Crisis, and they were sent a total of eight times,” the statement read. 

“She will work closely with ‘Border Czar’ Tom Homan to secure the Border, and will guarantee that our American Homeland is secure from our adversaries.”

On X, Noem wrote that she was “honored and humbled” by the appointment.

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“I look forward to working with Border Czar Tom Homan to make America SAFE again,” the Republican wrote. “With Donald Trump, we will secure the border and restore safety to American communities so families will again have the opportunity to pursue the American Dream.”

Noem’s forthcoming appointment to the position came as one of many bombshell Cabinet announcements on Tuesday. The Trump campaign also announced that “Fox & Friends Weekend” co-host Pete Hegseth will be appointed Secretary of the Department of Defense, and that Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy will lead the new Department of Government Efficiency.

Speaking to “Your World” host Neil Cavuto, Noem said last week that Trump has spoken to her personally about his focus “on big things.”

“He knows he only has four years and he wants to hit the ground running,” Noem said. “And he said anybody that I want around me needs to be thinking big, too.”

Fox News Digital’s Elizabeth Pritchett contributed to this report.

Pete Hegseth has been selected by President-elect Trump to serve as his secretary of defense. 

“I am honored to announce that I have nominated Pete Hegseth to serve in my Cabinet as The Secretary of Defense. Pete has spent his entire life as a Warrior for the Troops, and for the Country. Pete is tough, smart and a true believer in America First,” Trump said in a statement. 

A spokesperson for Fox News released the following statement:

“Pete Hegseth has been an exceptional host on FOX & Friends and FOX Nation and a best-selling author for FOX News Books for nearly a decade. His insights and analysis especially about the military resonated deeply with our viewers and made the program the major success that it is today. We are extremely proud of his work at FOX News and wish him the best of luck in Washington.”

Fox News host Pete Hegseth has been selected by President-elect Trump to serve as his secretary of defense. 

“I am honored to announce that I have nominated Pete Hegseth to serve in my Cabinet as The Secretary of Defense. Pete has spent his entire life as a Warrior for the Troops, and for the Country. Pete is tough, smart and a true believer in America First,” Trump said in a statement. 

While many states voted on abortion measures and immigration initiatives, several blue states passed tougher crime measures.

“You’re allowed to rob a store as long as it’s not more than $950. Has everyone ever heard of that?,” President-elect Donald Trump said at a press conference in Bedminster, New Jersey, in August. “You can rob a store, and you have these thieves going into stores with calculators, calculating how much it is.”

While convicted shoplifters have faced charges, California voters thought the penalties were not enough. Proposition 36 now makes shoplifting a felony for repeat offenders.

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According to California crime data, shoplifting had been on the rise. Incidents jumped 27.5% between 2018 and 2023. Proposition 36 also tackles another issue in California – drug addiction. The measure increases penalties for some drug charges, including fentanyl. During the same time period, fentanyl overdose deaths were also up by more than 770%.

“Prop 36 is a balanced approach to reducing crime to keep our communities safe while holding repeat retail thieves and those trafficking drugs to minors more accountable,” said Elizabeth Graham, CEO of the California Fuels & Convenience Alliance.

The changes in the new measure stem from an initiative passed in 2014, which downgraded some drug offenses and thefts under $950 from felonies to misdemeanors.

“I know we’re all here to say no to Prop 36, but some of us are here to say hell no to Prop 36,” said a speaker at a rally in opposition of Proposition 36.

While the initiative passed with overwhelming support, those against the measure say it will disproportionately imprison poor people and those with substance abuse issues.

“This is not the time to return to our ridiculous failed policy of incarceration,” said another speaker against the initiative.

Colorado voters also voted in favor of several crime initiatives. In the aftermath of the pandemic crime rose across the country, including in Colorado. The most recent data shows violent crime is up 23.8% from 2019.

“I am going to make Colorado safe again. We’re going to make you safe. We’re going to do it fast,” President-elect Trump said at a rally in Aurora, focusing on suspected Tren de Aragua crime in the area.

Voters approved an initiative that removed the right to bail in cases of first-degree murder, when the proof is evident, or the presumption is great. Another measure requires criminals convicted of violent crimes, to serve more of their sentences, before being eligible for parole.

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Voters also approved a fund for police officer recruitment, retention and training and a separate fund to help victims of crime.

“Places like Denver have given away, have diverted $9 million out of law enforcement. Why? Because we need to take care of the euphemistically named newcomers. We have a spending problem. We have a prioritization problem. Crime is going up because of your policies,” Colorado state Rep. Ken DeGraaf said during a hearing on a property tax bill in August.

Colorado voters also denied an effort to end hunting of wild cats like Mountain Lions, Bobcats and Lynx. Most states allow for Bobcat and Mountain Lion hunting, but Lynx are already federally protected. California has passed a state ban on sport hunting Mountain Lions. Florida’s panthers are classified as endangered under federal law.

Florida voters also approved protections for hunters and fishermen. The measure adds language to the state constitution that provides a right to hunt and fish. Proponents say the change guards against efforts to take away those rights. Opponents say the addition is legal overkill.

In Maine, voters decided against changing their state flag. The first official flag, used between 1901 and 1909, gained popularity in recent years. It shows a pine tree and star. But voters decided to keep the blue state seal as its official flag.

There were also several unusual local laws passed. Voters in Miami-Dade county decided to expand public Wi-Fi access. Malheur County, Oregon voted against repealing a mandate that would have ended some discussions over shifting the Idaho-Oregon border. Voters in Illinois also voted on state boundaries. Seven counties voted in favor of exploring whether to secede from the state over differences with Cook County which holds Chicago.

Social media erupted following what many characterized as first lady Jill Biden’s icy reception for Vice President Kamala Harris as the now-former Democratic presidential nominee took an adjacent seat at Arlington Cemetery on Tuesday.

Harris and second gentleman Douglas Emhoff approached their row of seats from the first lady’s right as the vice president greeted and shook hands with those around her — except Biden.

“It’s safe to say that Jill Biden hates Kamala Harris’ guts,” conservative commentator Steve Cortes said while sharing a video snippet of the non-interaction.

As Harris took her seat, Biden appeared to look straight ahead through dark sunglasses.

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“Jill Biden refused to even look at Kamala,” claimed the popular X account ‘End Wokeness’.

Journalist Andy Ngo shared a closer-up shot of the second family and first lady, describing Biden as “stone face[d]” and commenting that Harris supporters have been, in part, blaming President Biden for their candidate’s loss last Tuesday.

The interaction, or lack thereof, also received international media attention as Italian TV journalist Leonardo Panetta wrote on X in Italian that Harris was “ignored” by Biden after her defeat.

“Jill Biden… did not get up to greet her and then remained seated next to the vice president wearing sunglasses without deigning to look at her,” Panetta said. “Good climate in America.”

“They’re not taking the loss well,” remarked right-wing commentator Benny Arthur Johnson.

“Watch Jill Biden evidently give Kamala the cold shoulder as she arrives at Arlington National Cemetery. Kamala shook everyone’s hand before swiftly racing past Jill as the cameras were rolling.”

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Fellow commentator Dave Rubin added in a separate post that he hasn’t “seen two chicks that hated each other that much since Dorothy stole all the men at the Rusty Anchor from Blanche in season 7 of ‘The Golden Girls’.”

“Whoever seated them together hates them both,” one user replied to Rubin.

Conservative author David Harris Jr. suggested there appears to be a “rift” within the party following Harris’ blowout loss to President-elect Donald Trump.

The first and second families were at the Virginia cemetery to watch the president lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in remembrance of Veterans Day.

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The first lady reportedly did greet Emhoff “enthusiastically,” according to a recounting by the Daily Mail, but she appeared more stoic when Harris arrived.

During the campaign, the first lady did campaign for Harris and spoke of how they bonded over the loss of close family members to cancer and other connections.

On Wednesday, the first lady will travel to her home region of Philadelphia to deliver remarks at a gala for the Philadelphia250 organization that is preparing to celebrate America’s semiquincentennial next year.

Fox News Digital reached out to a representative for the first lady, the White House and Harris’ office for comment.

John Ratcliffe, who served as President-elect Trump’s principal intelligence advisor during his first presidential term, will serve as the director of the Central Intelligence Agency when Trump moves back into the White House.  

Ratcliffe is one of several appointees announced in the past week who will fill key positions during Trump’s second term. 

“From exposing fake Russian collusion to be a Clinton campaign operation, to catching the FBI’s abuse of Civil Liberties at the FISA Court, John Ratcliffe has always been a warrior for Truth and Honesty with the American Public,” Trump said in a statement. “When 51 intelligence officials were lying about Hunter Biden’s laptop, there was one, John Ratcliffe, telling the truth to the American People.”

Trump honored Ratcliffe in 2020 with the National Security Medal, the highest honor for distinguished achievement in the field of intelligence and national security.

Ratcliffe previously served under Trump as Director of National Intelligence (DNI). 

“In that role, Ratcliffe served as the leader of the U.S. intelligence community and principal intelligence advisor to President Trump. Before that role, Ratcliffe served in Congress for over five years as the U.S. representative for the 4th Congressional District of Texas.