Rumors that Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack was arrested by the military have swept across social media in recent days.
The claim was made in an April 29 story by Real Raw News, which has published numerous fabricated reports of high-profile arrests in the past.
The story claims investigators with the U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corps arrested Vilsack on April 26 in connection with what it described as the “calculated destruction” of food processing facilities around the country. PolitiFact reported in April that there was no evidence to suggest the fires were intentional or part of a ploy to trigger a nationwide food shortage.
Its website says Real Raw News fights for “truth and freedom of the press” but notes that it “contains humor, parody and satire.” The article about Vilsack was not explicitly labeled as such.
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Government entities have said the claim is untrue, including the supposed arresting agency. And Vilsack has appeared at numerous events since the date of his alleged arrest. No reputable news outlets have reported that Vilsack was arrested.
Real Raw News did not return USA TODAY’s request for comment.
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