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Roger Stern
Federal workers fired. I'm Roger Stern, Fox News. President Trump taking the unprecedented step of firing more than 4,000 federal workers during a government shutdown. Fox's Jared Halpern at the White House.
Jared Halpern
Federal workers across the government are being notified of reductions in force. A spokesperson for the White House Budget Office says layoffs are substantial. The Trump administration has warned of layoffs if the government shutdown continued, a departure from previous shutdowns when federal federal workers were furloughed but brought back to work once a spending bill was passed. A group of unions representing federal workers is suing, asking a federal judge in San Francisco to block the firings, arguing the administration is improperly using the shutdown as the basis for layoffs. At the White House, Jared Halpern, FOX News.
Roger Stern
The S&P 500 suffered its biggest one day drop since April as the US goes on the economic offensive against China. The Fox's Alexandria Hoff has more from Washington.
Alexandria Hoff
The president threatening new tariffs on China on social media, saying he would implement a 100% tariff on Chinese imports plus export controls on all critical software. This fury sparked by China's new export restrictions on rare earth minerals, which also includes restrictions on equipment used to mine rare earth, forcing exporters to apply for licenses and the rejecting of export requests for products used in military goods. Because of this, President Trump also suggested the possibility of canceling his planned meeting with President Xi. Now, the trade truce between the US And China is still in effect, but it is set to expire in less than a month.
Roger Stern
Economists warn tariffs will hurt American consumers and businesses. President Trump says he plans to be in Israel and Egypt next week following the ceasefire he negotiated between Israel and Hamas. America is listening to FOX News.
Will Kane
It's Will Kane. Country Watch it live at noon Eastern Monday through Thursday@foxnews.com or on the Fox News YouTube channel. And don't miss the show. Listen and follow the podcast five days a week at foxnewspodcasts.com or wherever you download your favorite podcasts.
Roger Stern
At least 18 people are still missing after a blast destroyed an explosives plant and McEwen, Tennessee, yesterday.
Carolyn Elliott
The local sheriff says he's trying to be positive during this time, but as of last night, he even started making those difficult calls to families. Local officials say the explosion happened around 7:45 yesterday morning in rural Tennessee at a company called Accurate Energetic Systems. According to its website, the explosives plant is located about 60 miles southwest of Nashville in a wooded area. When that explosion happened, locals said they could hear it from miles away. Investigators are still on scene trying to figure out exactly how and why this happened.
Roger Stern
Fox's Carolyn Elliott from McEwen a longtime adversary of President Trump fighting back after being indicted. Fox's Ryan Schmaltz in Washington.
Ryan Schmaltz
New York Attorney General Letitia James firing back as Democrats are coming to her defense and alleging political retribution.
Alexandria Hoff
This is nothing more than a continuation of the president's desperate weaponization of our justice system.
Ryan Schmaltz
A grand jury has indicted the longtime adversary of President Trump on bank fraud charges surrounding the purchase of a home in Norfolk, Virginia, alleging she falsely claimed it as a second home to secure better loan terms. James sued the president's company for civil fraud, winning a nearly $500 million judgment after interest. On Capitol Hill, Ryan Schmell's Fox News.
Roger Stern
Career prosecutors opposed bringing those charges against James. The president of a union representing Boston police and officers were lured into an ambush during a pro Palestinian riot Tuesday night. Police say they arrested 13 people after they became violent towards officers and blocked an entire intersection. Boston police say they were directly assaulted. There were direct assaults against officers. I'm Ron Shu Stern and this is FOX News.
This episode offers a rapid-fire update on major national and international news events shaping the headlines. Anchored by Roger Stern, FOX News correspondents cover President Trump's historic move to fire thousands of federal employees during a government shutdown, escalating U.S.-China economic tensions, a deadly explosion in Tennessee, legal battles involving a political adversary of Trump, and unrest in Boston tied to the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Layoffs are happening across the government (“Federal workers across the government are being notified of reductions in force.”).
According to the White House Budget Office, these layoffs “are substantial.”
Unlike previous shutdowns—where federal workers were furloughed but returned after funding—this time, they’re being let go.
Union groups are suing in San Francisco, arguing the administration is improperly using the shutdown to justify layoffs.
“A group of unions representing federal workers is suing, asking a federal judge in San Francisco to block the firings, arguing the administration is improperly using the shutdown as the basis for layoffs.” – Jared Halpern [00:35]
President Trump is threatening a 100% tariff on Chinese imports and new export controls on critical software.
This response is driven by China’s new export restrictions on rare earth minerals and equipment vital for their mining.
China’s measures include forcing exporters to apply for licenses and rejecting requests if products are military-related.
Trump is considering canceling a summit with President Xi; the tenuous “trade truce” will expire within a month.
“The president threatening new tariffs on China on social media, saying he would implement a 100% tariff on Chinese imports plus export controls on all critical software.” – Alexandria Hoff [01:03]
The sheriff is beginning to notify families.
The explosion happened at “Accurate Energetic Systems,” about 60 miles from Nashville, heard for miles.
Investigators remain on site to determine the cause.
"Local officials say the explosion happened around 7:45 yesterday morning in rural Tennessee at a company called Accurate Energetic Systems." – Carolyn Elliott [02:29]
[02:59] Roger Stern introduces: New York Attorney General Letitia James, a longtime Trump adversary, has been indicted.
[03:08] Ryan Schmaltz details:
Democrats defend James and allege political retribution.
[03:16] Alexandria Hoff quotes James’s defenders:
James is accused of bank fraud for misrepresenting a home’s status to secure better loan terms.
James previously sued Trump’s company, winning a significant civil fraud judgment.
“A grand jury has indicted the longtime adversary of President Trump on bank fraud charges surrounding the purchase of a home in Norfolk, Virginia.” – Ryan Schmaltz [03:22] “This is nothing more than a continuation of the president's desperate weaponization of our justice system.” – Alexandria Hoff [03:16]
[03:44] Roger Stern: Notes that career prosecutors reportedly opposed bringing these charges against James.
On Federal Worker Firings:
“A group of unions representing federal workers is suing, asking a federal judge in San Francisco to block the firings, arguing the administration is improperly using the shutdown as the basis for layoffs.” – Jared Halpern [00:35]
On China Tariffs:
“The president threatening new tariffs on China on social media, saying he would implement a 100% tariff on Chinese imports plus export controls on all critical software.” – Alexandria Hoff [01:03]
On Letitia James Indictment:
“This is nothing more than a continuation of the president's desperate weaponization of our justice system.” – Alexandria Hoff [03:16]
Factual, brisk, and focused on unfolding developments, in line with FOX News’ direct, urgent news style.
For more continuous updates, tune in to future Fox News Hourly Updates or listen live at foxnews.com.