Fox News host Greg Gutfeld said Wednesday he thinks Jussie Smollett "should go away for a minimum 20 years" after Chicago police said they suspect the "Empire" actor potentially filed a false police report about being a victim of a racist and homophobic attack.

Chicago Police tweeted that Smollett, 36, "is officially classified as a suspect in a criminal investigation" after he alleged last month that he was beaten by two men who yelled "This is MAGA country!" in an early morning attack on Jan. 22.

Smollett said the men also poured bleach on him while attempting to tie a noose around his neck.

Case Update: Jussie Smollett is now officially classified as a suspect in a criminal investigation by #ChicagoPolice for filing a false police report (Class 4 felony). Detectives are currently presenting evidence before a Cook County Grand Jury. pic.twitter.com/FhDcbBKsuU — Anthony Guglielmi (@AJGuglielmi) February 20, 2019

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Cable news has since gone wall-to-wall with the latest twist in the Smollett case, with Fox News Channel's "The Five" discussing it at length during the roundtable opinion program Wednesday evening.



"I don't see how what he did is not considered a hate crime, because it actually would have hurt a group of people," said Gutfeld.



"All Trump supporters," injected co-host Jesse Watters. "Millions of Americans."



"This is a hate crime, and to your point, that's despicable," Gutfeld continued. "That he would have let two people go to jail. He should go away for a minimum 20 years."



"People accuse people like me of dunking on the libs over this. No, what you're seeing is vindication," he added. "Remember, us, the people who aren't liberals, are vindicated. Because any kind of tangential link to Trump, you, if you don't believe this story, then you're part of the problem. Everybody should be pleased that a hate crime didn't happen. Because it means we're less racist than the media wants us to be."

The potential charge against Smollett — filling a false police report — is considered a Class-4 felony. The New York Post's Page Six noted that under Illinois law he could face up to three years in prison if charged and convicted of a crime.

Federal investigators also investigated a threatening letter addressed to Smollett that arrived at a Fox studio in Chicago where "Empire" is based. The letter included white powder and racist language.

The powder was later found to be a crushed painkiller medication. Legal experts say federal prosecutors could also pursue charges of mail fraud if it is determined Smollett sent the letter to himself.