12PM ET 08/25/2025 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update

Episode: 12PM ET 08/25/2025 Newscast
Host: FOX News Podcasts (Various correspondents)
Date: August 25, 2025

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Episode Overview

This midday newscast brings updates on immigration enforcement involving an alleged MS-13 member, President Trump’s latest executive actions and controversies, new information released in the Ghislaine Maxwell–Jeffrey Epstein investigation, further developments in the Russia-Ukraine war, and U.S. political maneuvers regarding crime and policing in American cities.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Immigration Enforcement: MS-13 and Human Smuggling (00:02–01:18)

• Kilmar Abrego Garcia Case:

  • Homeland Security confirms Salvadoran migrant Kilmar Abrego Garcia, alleged MS-13 member and human smuggler, is set to be deported to Uganda after surrendering to ICE at a Baltimore facility.
  • Garcia, who is awaiting trial in Tennessee on federal human smuggling charges, is the plaintiff in a new federal lawsuit.
  • A 6:30am rally of about 150 supporters took place outside the Baltimore ICE facility; the event was peaceful, with music and singing.

  Quote:

  "We know that he was taken into custody pretty much immediately after he walked into this federal building for that ICE check."
  — David Spunt (00:21)

• Homeland Secretary's Comments:

  • Homeland Secretary Kristi Nam and President Trump take a tough stance, emphasizing not allowing "this illegal alien, MS-13 member, human trafficker, serial domestic abuser and child predator to terrorize American citizens any longer." (00:50)
  • President Trump signs an order threatening to eliminate cashless bail by cutting federal funds.

• Baltimore Crime Controversy:

  • Trump criticizes Baltimore for high crime, calling it "number four capital for crime."
  • In response to Maryland Governor Wes Moore’s challenge to walk the streets, Trump retorts:
    Quote:

    "As president, I would much prefer that he clean up this crime disaster before I go for a walk there. Stop talking and get to work, Wes. Then I'll see you on the streets."
    — (Narrator, 01:21–01:46)

2. Presidential Law Enforcement Initiatives (01:18–01:46)

• Widening federal intervention considered in cities like Chicago, described by Trump as "a disaster."
• Ongoing local-federal disputes over control of police forces, particularly in D.C. and Maryland.
• Local leaders claim crime rates are falling post-pandemic.

3. Ghislaine Maxwell and the Epstein Investigation (02:23–03:29)

• DOJ Interview Released:

  • Newly released DOJ transcript features Maxwell from federal prison in Texas; she maintains there is "no client list" and speculates on the source of related rumors.
  • Maxwell denies witnessing former President Bill Clinton or President Trump in any inappropriate setting.

  Quote:

  "I actually never saw the president in any type of massage setting. I never witnessed the president in any inappropriate setting in any way. The president was never inappropriate with anybody."
  — Ghislaine Maxwell (via Fox News Announcer, 02:54)

• Epstein’s Death:

  • Maxwell casts doubt on Epstein’s suicide, while seeking a pardon or commutation for her 20-year sentence for her role in underage sex trafficking.

• Legal Team’s Response:

  • Maxwell’s attorney, David Marcus, praises DOJ’s transparency, stating:
    Quote:

    "People could judge for themselves."
    — Kristen Goodwin reporting (03:05)

4. Russia-Ukraine War and Ukraine's Independence Day (03:29–04:07)

• Ukraine’s Military Tactics:

  • Ukraine steps up drone attacks on Russian energy infrastructure, reportedly causing rising fuel prices in Russia.
  • Russia accuses Ukraine of an attack on a nuclear plant; fire was quickly controlled.

• Global Support:

  • On Ukraine’s 34th Independence Day, world leaders including President Trump and Chinese President Xi send support messages.

5. Executive Actions: Flag Desecration and Legal Challenges (04:07–04:24)

• Flag Protection Order:

  • President Trump signs an executive order requiring the prosecution of flag desecration.
  • Legal experts anticipate a Supreme Court challenge, as flag burning has First Amendment protections.

  Quote:

  "President Trump signing several executive orders today, including one against desecrating the American flag by mandating prosecution for acts including flag burning, which may face a Supreme Court challenge."
  — Therese Crowley (04:07)

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• David Spunt (on ICE arrest):

  "We know that he was taken into custody pretty much immediately after he walked into this federal building for that ICE check." (00:21)

• President Trump’s retort to Gov. Wes Moore (via narrator):

  "As president, I would much prefer that he clean up this crime disaster before I go for a walk there. Stop talking and get to work, Wes. Then I'll see you on the streets." (01:21)

• Ghislaine Maxwell (via Fox News Announcer):

  "I actually never saw the president in any type of massage setting. I never witnessed the president in any inappropriate setting in any way. The president was never inappropriate with anybody." (02:54)

• Kristen Goodwin (on DOJ interview release):

  "Her lawyer, David Marcus, praising the DOJ for releasing the transcript and audio, saying people could judge for themselves." (03:05)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:02 – Immigration: Kilmar Abrego Garcia surrender and lawsuit
• 00:50 – Trump’s executive order on bail, Baltimore crime debate
• 01:18–01:46 – Baltimore/Chicago federal law enforcement, local-federal tension
• 02:23–03:29 – Ghislaine Maxwell DOJ interview, claims about Clinton, Trump, Epstein
• 03:29–04:07 – Ukraine’s attacks on Russia, world leaders’ reactions on Independence Day
• 04:07–04:24 – Trump signs executive order on flag desecration

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Takeaway

This compact update covers major national and international news: strong federal action on crime and immigration, a high-profile DOJ release on Epstein’s associate, shifts in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and executive orders pushing the envelope on First Amendment rights. The tone is urgent and direct, keeping listeners abreast of breaking news and ongoing controversies.

Transcript

[Therese Crowley]

From Maryland to Uganda, I'm Therese Crowley, Fox News. Homeland Security confirms Uganda is the destination for Salvadoran migrant Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who surrendered to ICE agents at a Baltimore ICE facility on charges of being an MS.13 member in the U.S. illegally and charged with human smuggler.

[David Spunt]

We know that he was taken into custody pretty much immediately after he walked into this federal building for that ICE check. And we also know that there is now a new lawsuit in federal court and Kilmar Abrego Garcia is the plaintiff. As of this moment, he's out of prison awaiting trial in Tennessee for federal human smuggling charges. About 150 supporters came out to Baltimore early this morning for a 6:30am rally featuring Abrego Garcia that's been largely peaceful. People singing, playing on guitar.

[Therese Crowley]

Fox's David spun. Homeland Secretary Kristi Nam says President Trump will not allow this illegal alien, Ms. 13 member, human trafficker, serial domestic abuser and child predator to terrorize American citizens any longer. President Trump. Trump signs an executive order to eliminate cashless bail by threatening to revoke federal funding. And he slammed Baltimore as the number four capital for crime. But when Maryland Democrat Governor Wes Moore challenged him to walk the streets. Trump snap back. Fix it first.

[Kristen Goodwin]

President Trump, that stroll through Maryland meant.

[Narrator/Reporter]

A walk through Baltimore and he did not like Governor Westmore's tone with that original invite. He wrote this as president, I would much prefer that he clean up this crime disaster before I go for a walk there. Stop talking and get to work, Wes. Then I'll see you on the streets. That's just as DC's Democrat officials dispute the need for federal control of the police force. Just like Governor Moore has been touting these falling crime rates in Baltimore after that pandemic spike.

[Therese Crowley]

And President Trump is eyeing Chicago for federal law enforcement, calling it a disaster. America is listening to Fox News.

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[Therese Crowley]

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[Therese Crowley]

Free delivery. It's on Prime. Ghislaine Maxwell's voice is heard with the Justice Department releasing its interview with Jeffrey Epstein's co conspirator. And she got transferred from Tallahassee to a little more comfortable federal detention in Texas after saying there was no client list and she thinks she knows how the rumor started.

[Kristen Goodwin]

Elaine Maxwell telling Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche she never witnessed any inappropriate activity by former President Bill Clinton or President Donald Trump.

[Fox News Announcer]

I actually never saw the president in any type of massage setting. I never witnessed the president in any inappropriate setting in any way. The president was never inappropriate with anybody.

[Kristen Goodwin]

Also saying she is not aware of any Jeffrey Epstein client list and does not believe Epstein died by suicide. Maxwell, who is seeking a pardon or commutation from the president, is serving a 20 year prison sentence for helping Epstein traffic and abuse underage girls. Her lawyer, David Marcus, praising the DOJ for releasing the transcript and audio, saying people could judge for themselves. Kristen Goodwin, FOX News Russia's war on.

[Therese Crowley]

Ukraine rages as Ukraine marked its Independence Day.

[Russia Correspondent]

Ukraine is stepping up attacks against Russian energy facilities. Keep is using drones to strike refineries and pumping stations part of an effort to hurt Russia's war machine. And their efforts appear to be working. Gasoline prices are soaring across the country. Russia is also accusing Ukraine of launching attacks on a nuclear power plant. Officials say it sparked a fire that was quickly put out. Meantime, world leaders are showing support for Ukraine as the country celebrates its 34th Independence Day. From the Soviet Union, President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping were among those delivering messages of support.

[Therese Crowley]

President Trump signing several executive orders today, including one against desecrating the American flag by mandating prosecution for acts including flag burning, which may face a Supreme Court challenge. It's upheld flag burning as protest speech protected by the First Amendment. I'm Therese Crowley.

[Fox News Announcer]

This is FOX News.

[Will Cain]

It's Will Cain. Country Watch it live at noon Eastern Monday through [e-mail] 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.