Fox News Hourly Update: 12AM ET 10/03/2025 Newscast

Date: October 3, 2025
Host: FOX News Podcasts
Summary By: [Your Podcast Summarizer]

Overview

This episode delivers a brisk, information-rich update on the federal government shutdown, ongoing healthcare funding debates, immigration-related policy clashes, unrest in Portland, and new Trump administration measures against drug cartels. Correspondents report from Capitol Hill, Portland, and state-level battlegrounds, focusing on political divides and law enforcement developments.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Federal Government Shutdown & Potential Layoffs

Timestamps: 00:03 – 01:17

• Ongoing Shutdown: As the government shutdown enters its second day, there are no Senate votes taking place.
• Layoff Warnings: The Trump administration warns that federal layoffs could reach the thousands if the shutdown continues.
  • White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt notes, “Federal layoffs could be in the thousands if the government shutdown drags on.” (00:13)
• Blame Game: House Speaker Mike Johnson asserts the administration's right to implement job cuts and blames Democrats:
  • “The Democrats are the ones who have decided to inflict the pain, not the president.” — Speaker Mike Johnson (00:31)
• Democrats’ Demands: Democrats are pushing for an extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies, warning cost spikes if they expire.
• Minority Leader’s Accusation: Rep. Hakeem Jeffries criticizes Republican motives:
  • “They continue to engage in in their retribution efforts and they have zero interest, zero in providing high quality, affordable and accessible care.” — Hakeem Jeffries (00:54)

2. Health Care and Immigration Dispute

Timestamp: 01:08 – 01:52

• Health Care Coverage: Republicans allege Democratic efforts would restore health care spending for illegal immigrants, a claim Democrats refute.
• State Expenditures:
  • California: $8.4 billion spent on coverage for illegal immigrants in the current fiscal year, exceeding initial estimates by $5 billion.
  • Illinois: Projected $2.5 billion spending on migrants, mostly healthcare costs.
  • New York: $12 billion spent on an essential plan covering some lawfully present noncitizens.
  • Republicans argue lax immigration policies provided asylum to ineligible individuals.

3. Portland Protests & Federal Response

Timestamps: 02:31 – 03:13

• National Guard Deployment: President Trump sends the National Guard to Portland to halt ongoing anti-ICE protests.
• First-Person Reporting: Fox’s Bill Malusian describes the tense atmosphere around the federal building:
  • “Federal agents in gas masks open up the gates of the property to either make a targeted arrest or clear the way for vehicles to come in and out. As crowds of protesters and agitators are waiting for them outside, many of them yelling obscenities on bullhorns…” — Bill Malusian (02:38)
• Local Reaction: Portland Mayor Keith Johnson insists there’s “no lawlessness in the city to warrant a National Guard presence.”

4. Montana Immigration Law Challenge

Timestamps: 03:13 – 04:01

• Legal Dispute: Valley Neighbors of the Flathead files suit against a new Montana law permitting police to check immigration status during routine stops, citing privacy and racial discrimination concerns.
  • The law’s supporters argue it's needed to combat issues like human trafficking.

5. Military Action Against Drug Cartels

Timestamps: 04:01 – 04:28

• Designation as ‘Unlawful Combatants’: President Trump labels Caribbean drug cartels as unlawful combatants, classifying US action as a “non-international armed conflict.”
  • Military strikes against drug smuggling boats intensified last month, representing the largest such action to date.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Speaker Mike Johnson:
  “Is it lawful? Is it part of our system? Of course it is. It always has been. And the Democrats are the ones who have decided to inflict the pain, not the president.” (00:31)
• Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries:
  “… Zero interest, zero in providing high quality, affordable and accessible care.” (00:54)
• Bill Malusian (from Portland):
  “Federal agents and gas masks open up the gates… as crowds of protesters and agitators… many of them yelling obscenities on bullhorns, some of them wearing black block with helmets or shields.” (02:38)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Government Shutdown & Layoffs: 00:03 – 01:17
• Healthcare & Immigration Spending: 01:08 – 01:52
• Portland Protests & National Guard: 02:31 – 03:13
• Montana Immigration Law Lawsuit: 03:13 – 04:01
• Drug Cartels Declared ‘Unlawful Combatants’: 04:01 – 04:28

This episode offers a snapshot of America’s increasingly polarized debates over government funding, health care, immigration, and law enforcement, punctuated by on-the-ground reports and direct quotes from political leaders and news correspondents.