Fox News Hourly Update – 10AM ET 08/26/2025 Newscast

Host: Therese Crowley, with reporting by Kennedy, Kristen Goodwin, Peter Doocy, Jared Halpern, and unnamed correspondents
Date: August 26, 2025

Overview

This episode delivers concise updates on key national issues, focusing on President Trump's intensified federal crime enforcement efforts, a shakeup at the Federal Reserve Board, continued fallout from the Afghanistan withdrawal, U.S. policy on Russia and Ukraine, and a controversial executive order on flag desecration. The newscast captures the administration's assertive approach as well as the Democratic opposition.

Major Discussion Points & Insights

1. Federal Crime Enforcement Operation in D.C.

• Cabinet Meeting: President Trump convened Cabinet members to evaluate progress on his crackdown on federal crimes, focusing on Washington, D.C.
  • "Cabinet members converge at the White House as President Trump convenes a Cabinet meeting for progress reports, including on his federal crime enforcement operation starting in D.C." (Therese Crowley, 00:02)
• Operation Results:
  • Over 1,000 arrests since August 7
  • 6 known gang members arrested
  • 2 missing children found
  • Over 100 illegal firearms seized
  • Focus on curbing "cashless bail" via threat to revoke federal funding from jurisdictions allowing the practice.
  • "The White House touting these figures as the president cracks down on cashless bail with two executive orders..." (Kennedy, 00:14)
• Expansion of Military Deployment:
  • President Trump signals possible military action in other cities, with Chicago named as a candidate.
  • Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, opposing such deployment, promises to "use any peaceful tool they have to fight back." (Kennedy, 00:46)

2. Democratic Party's Response and Internal Search for Direction

• DNC Summer Meeting:
  • Prominent Democrats strategize following presidential election defeat.
  • Senator Tammy Duckworth sharply criticizes Trump’s military leadership:
    • "Donald Trump never had the courage himself to raise his right hand in and serve his country in uniform." (Duckworth, 00:51)

3. Federal Reserve Board Shakeup

• Governor Lisa Cook’s Removal:
  • President Trump removes Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook over a criminal referral linked to alleged mortgage fraud.
  • Details of allegations: falsification of documents and claiming two properties as primary residences.
  • Trump’s letter:
    • "In light of your deceitful and potentially criminal conduct in a financial matter, I do not have such confidence in your integrity." (Trump, via Kristen Goodwin, 01:41)
  • Cook was a Biden appointee with a term through 2038. She has vowed not to step down.

4. Remembrance of Afghanistan Withdrawal Anniversary

• Oval Office Tribute:
  • Trump holds a ceremony to honor the 13 U.S. soldiers killed and those wounded in the Abbey Gate bombing during the 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal.
  • "We remember these great 13 souls, but we also remember the people that were so badly injured...They lost arms and legs and their faces were blown to pieces. And they're incredible and they, they suffer with it." (Unnamed Fox News Correspondent, 02:41)
• Political Impact:
  • Peter Doocy notes the withdrawal's enduring impact on Biden’s public approval and Trump's return.
  • "That withdrawal from Afghanistan was big, part of the reason for Biden's polling decline initially and the return of Trump..." (Peter Doocy, 02:31)
• Defense Secretary's Response:
  • Promise of a years-long review of the withdrawal to provide closure for families of fallen soldiers.

5. Policy on Ukraine-Russia War

• Trump’s Warnings to Russia:
  • After discussions with Putin and Zelensky, Trump warns:
    • "There could be very big consequences for Russia if it doesn't hold talks with Ukraine on ending the war soon." (Therese Crowley, 03:09)

6. Executive Order on Flag Desecration

• Mandate for Prosecution:
  • Trump signs an executive order requiring prosecution of flag burning, advocating for a year-long jail sentence.
  • "Individuals who burn an American flag should be sentence[d] to a year in jail because the people in this country don't want to see our American flag burned and spit on..." (Unnamed Fox News Correspondent, 03:37)
• Potential Legal Showdown:
  • The order directs the DOJ to pursue legal challenges against the 1989 SCOTUS decision protecting flag burning under the 1st Amendment.
  • Trump’s view: "That decision [protecting flag burning] was very sad, claiming flag burning can incite riots." (Jared Halpern, 03:46)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Senator Tammy Duckworth (on Trump's service):
  • "Donald Trump never had the courage himself to raise his right hand in and serve his country in uniform." (00:51)
• President Trump (to Lisa Cook):
  • "In light of your deceitful and potentially criminal conduct in a financial matter, I do not have such confidence in your integrity." (01:41, via Kristen Goodwin)
• Unnamed Fox News Correspondent (on Abbey Gate victims):
  • "They lost arms and legs and their faces were blown to pieces. And they're incredible and they, they suffer with it." (02:41)
• Trump Administration (flag burning order):
  • "The people in this country don't want to see our American flag burned and spit on and by people that are, in many cases paid agitators." (03:37)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Federal Crime Operation & Cabinet Meeting: 00:02–00:51
• Democratic Response & DNC Meeting: 00:51–01:14
• Federal Reserve Board Announcement: 01:14–01:53
• Afghanistan Withdrawal Anniversary & Oval Office Tribute: 02:16–03:01
• Ukraine-Russia War Update: 03:09–03:31
• Flag Desecration Executive Order: 03:31–04:10

Tone and Style

The episode is brisk, direct, and centered on authoritative voices from within the administration and opposition figures. Criticism, celebration of law enforcement action, and constitutional provocation are all prominent, in line with Fox News's signature hard-news focus with a conservative lens.