How P’nut, a euthanized squirrel, entered the political fray

P'nut, an Instagram-famous squirrel that was seized and euthanized by New York state, has entered the political fray, with Republicans saying its killing is representative of "Democratic overreach."

“Our government will let in 16,000 rapists, they will let in 13,000 murderers, they will let in 6,00,000 criminals across our border, but if someone has a pet squirrel without a permit they will go in there and kill the squirrel,” Donald Trump Jr. said at a rally over the weekend. “That is the Democrat party. That’s where they will go. That’s their overreach.”

Republican vice presidential nominee Sen. JD Vance (Ohio) also told a crowd at the same rally that former President Trump was “fired up” about the death of the squirrel.

"He was like, 'You know, is it really the case that the Democrats murdered the Elon Musk of squirrels?'" Vance said.

New York carried out a raid at Mark Longo's home, which is near the border with Pennsylvania, after "numerous complaints" about the squirrel, according to The Associated Press. Longo had rescued the squirrel seven years ago.

The state euthanized the squirrel and the raccoon to test them for rabies after reports that they had bitten someone. Longo questioned the decision, saying that P’nut had not bit anyone.

“Honestly, this still kind of feels surreal, that the state that I live in actually targeted me and took two of the most beloved animals on this planet away, didn’t even quarantine them,” Longo told the AP. “They took them from my house and just killed them.”

The Hill has contacted New York's Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) for comment.

Longo has started a GoFundMe to memorialize P’Nut and Fred, the raccoon who was also euthanized. The funds will be donated to P’nuts Freedom Farm, “which tirelessly rescues and provides care for vulnerable animals.”

“Their lives were a testament to the importance of compassion and kindness toward all creatures, and we are committed to honoring them by continuing this vital work,” Logo wrote. “Support will empower us to demand accountability from the DEC and advocate for a more compassionate approach to wildlife management.”

Elon Musk and Laura Loomer, both Trump supporters, have also criticized the government for killing the animal.

“The government should not be allowed to barge into your house and kill your pet! That’s messed up,” Musk wrote on the social platform X. “Even if it is illegal to have a pet squirrel (which it shouldn’t be), why kill PNut instead of simply releasing him into the forest!?”

Bill Ackman, the CEO of Pershing Square, who gained fame in the aftermath of protests on elite college campuses tied to the Israel-Gaza conflict, also weighed in on the killing, saying that “next, they’ll take your children.”

Musk also equated a vote for Trump with a vote for P’nut, and his post has been viewed more than 35 million times.