Fox News Hourly Update — 11AM ET, January 3, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of the Fox News Hourly Update delivers breaking coverage of a dramatic overnight U.S. military operation in Venezuela, resulting in the capture and indictment of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife on narco-terrorism, drug trafficking, and weapons charges. The newscast also touches on a foiled domestic terror plot in North Carolina, the arrest of former MLB player Lenny Dykstra, and key NFL matchups with playoff stakes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S. Captures Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela

• Details of the Operation (00:03–01:16)

  • The episode opens with breaking news: U.S. forces captured Venezuela's leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife overnight.
  • President Trump watched the operation from Mar-a-Lago and described it as swift and violent:
    • Quote (President Trump, 00:20):

      "If you would have seen the, the speed, the violence, you know, they say that the speed, the violence, they use that term. It's just, it was an amazing thing, amazing job that these people did."

  • There were some U.S. casualties, but, per Trump:
    • Quote (President Trump, 00:36):

      "A couple of guys were hit, but they came back and they're supposed to be in pretty good shape."

  • Lucas Tomlinson reports (00:45–01:09) on details:
    • The raid occurred at 2:00 AM in Caracas, likely involving elite units: Delta Force, 75th Rangers, SEAL Team 6, supported by the Night Stalkers (160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment).
    • Special ops assaulted the compound where Maduro and his wife slept.

• Background & Reaction (01:09–01:48)

  • The U.S. considers Maduro an illegitimate leader; recent months have seen increased military pressure, strikes on drug operations, and seizure of oil tankers.
  • Venezuelan authorities label the U.S. actions as violations of the U.N. Charter and accuse the U.S. of targeting their oil and minerals.
  • Congressman Carlos Gimenez (Miami) notes strong support among Venezuelan-Americans:
    • Quote (Rep. Carlos Gimenez, 01:41):

      "I think the Venezuelans in the United States are feeling great. They're thanking President Trump for his actions."

  • Maduro and his wife face a criminal trial in New York, indicted for narco-terrorism and related crimes.

2. Foiled ISIS-Inspired Attack in North Carolina

• Incident Report (02:47–03:23)
  • Eighteen-year-old Christian Sturtevant of Mint Hill, North Carolina, is charged in a foiled New Year's Eve attack plot on a local grocery store.
  • Police found hammers and knives hidden under his bed.
  • Sturtevant pledged allegiance to ISIS online, communicating with undercover officers from NYPD and FBI posing as ISIS members.
    • Quote (David Spunt, 03:23):

      "He planned to use hammers. Authorities also seized two butcher knives hidden under his bed... he then spoke with another person he thought was a member of ISIS, but it turns out that person was an undercover FBI agent."

3. Lenny Dykstra Arrested for Drug Possession

• Developments (03:29–03:59)
  • Former Major League Baseball player Lenny Dykstra was arrested near Scranton, PA, after narcotics and paraphernalia were found during a traffic stop.
  • Dykstra is known for a past World Series win and has a criminal history (served time for bankruptcy fraud).
  • His charges are pending.

4. NFL Playoff Stakes

• Games to Watch (03:59–04:14)
  • Two key NFL games with major playoff implications:
    • Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Carolina Panthers: Winner takes the NFC South; loser is eliminated.
    • Seattle Seahawks vs. San Francisco 49ers: Winner clinches NFC West; loser gets a wild card spot.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• President Trump on the Operation
  “If you would have seen the, the speed, the violence... it was an amazing thing, amazing job that these people did.”
  — President Trump, (00:20)

• On U.S. Casualties
  “A couple of guys were hit, but they came back and they're supposed to be in pretty good shape.”
  — President Trump, (00:36)

• Community Response
  “I think the Venezuelans in the United States are feeling great. They're thanking President Trump for his actions.”
  — Rep. Carlos Gimenez, (01:41)

• Foiled Attack Details
  “He planned to use hammers. Authorities also seized two butcher knives hidden under his bed.”
  — David Spunt, (02:47)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:03 — Breaking News: U.S. captures Maduro in Venezuela
• 00:20 — President Trump describes the raid
• 00:36 — Update on American casualties
• 00:45 — Lucas Tomlinson reports operation details
• 01:16 — U.S. pressure campaign and Venezuelan government reaction
• 01:41 — Congressman Gimenez on Venezuelan-American response
• 01:48 — Maduro and wife indicted, face U.S. trial
• 02:47 — North Carolina man charged in foiled ISIS-inspired attack
• 03:29 — Ex-MLB star Lenny Dykstra’s arrest for drug possession
• 03:59 — NFL playoff implications: Breakdowns and stakes

Episode Tone

The coverage is urgent and tightly focused on breaking developments, steeped in the direct, fast-paced tone typical of Fox News hourly updates. Quotes from President Trump and community leaders foreground American action and reaction, echoing themes of decisive leadership and public support, while coverage of domestic crime and sports adds practical variety. The episode maintains a brisk, information-heavy delivery throughout.