12PM ET 09/17/2025 Newscast

Summary

Fox News Hourly Update - 12PM ET 09/17/2025 Newscast

Host: Lisa Brady (with reporting from Fox correspondents and guests)
Date: September 17, 2025

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Episode Overview

This episode provides a fast-paced rundown of key national and international news headlines. Major topics include the fallout from the firing of the CDC director, contentious Senate hearings involving the FBI, developments in the trial of an accused Trump assassination attempt, an FBI office security breach, updates on a newly forming tropical storm, and market and Fed news. The episode features a blend of straight reporting, on-the-ground correspondents, and brief legislative audio clips.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. CDC Director Firing & Senate Testimony

[00:02-00:46]

• Dr. Susan Menarez, the ousted CDC director, testified in the Senate, emphasizing that her hearing should focus on future trust in public health rather than her personal circumstances.
• Dr. Menarez's position: She alleges Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. sought pre-approval for a vaccine panel’s findings, which Kennedy strongly denies.
• Kennedy puts blame back on the CDC, insisting it "has not done its job and needs reform."
• Broader context: The dispute reflects ongoing tensions in public health and federal administration.

Notable moment:

“Today should be about the future of trust in Public Health.” – Dr. Susan Menarez, [00:08]

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2. FBI Oversight & 'Arctic Frost' Investigation

[00:46–01:22]

• FBI Director Patel faces a second day of Senate scrutiny, accused by Democrats of agency politicization, which he denies.
• Senate Republicans allege Justice Department bias and reveal "new documents" about an FBI probe codenamed Arctic Frost targeting conservative groups, including Charlie Kirk’s Turning Point USA.
• Former special counsel Jack Smith used this probe’s findings in criminal charges against President Trump.

Quotes:

“It was the vehicle by which partisan FBI agents and Department of Justice prosecutors could achieve their partisan ends.”
— Guy Benson, summarizing Republican claims, [01:01]

“The probe was launched under previous FBI director Chris Wray and served as a basis for former special counsel Jack Smith's criminal charges against President Trump.”
— Chuck Grassley, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman, [01:13]

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3. State Visit: President Trump in the UK

[01:22–02:00]

• President Trump and the First Lady participate in ceremonial events with King Charles and Queen Camilla, including laying a wreath at Queen Elizabeth II’s crypt.
• Preparations for a state dinner and a planned visit to the UK Prime Minister’s country home.

Notable moment:

“Pageantry in the UK Military bands performing outside Windsor Castle…” — Lisa Brady, [01:22]

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4. Trump Assassination Attempt Trial

[02:30–03:11]

• The trial of Ryan Wesley Ruth, accused of attempting to kill Trump in September of the previous year, continues in Florida.
• Ruth is representing himself, with limited cross-examination of witnesses.
• Secret Service agents found Ruth “hiding in shrubs” near Trump’s golf club, armed with a gun identified as an AK47.
• Recorded comms between law enforcement have now been made public.

Quotes:

“The individual has not gained entry to the golf course. He’s on the exterior of the compound.”
— Secret Service communication, read by Lisa Brady, [03:02]

“The firearm was just one piece of evidence recovered.”
— Guy Benson, [03:06]

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5. FBI Pittsburgh Field Office Security Incident

[03:11–04:01]

• Donald Henson is arrested after ramming his car into the FBI’s Pittsburgh office gate, draping an American flag, and fleeing.
• Law enforcement rapidly locked down the area and searched for threats but found nothing dangerous.
• Henson faces federal charges. The attack appears deliberate but poses no ongoing threat, per authorities.

Summary:

“Investigators say the case is being treated as a deliberate attack, but stress there was no ongoing threat to the public as they continue to examine his motives.”
— Mary Kathryn Ham, [03:45]

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6. Weather & Financial Updates

[04:01–04:28]

• Weather: Tropical Storm Gabrielle forms in the Atlantic, currently far from land.
• Business: Markets are mixed ahead of a pivotal Fed decision; Dow rallies over 300 points, but S&P and Nasdaq lag.

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• “Today should be about the future of trust in Public Health.” — Dr. Menarez, [00:08]
• “It was the vehicle by which partisan FBI agents and Department of Justice prosecutors could achieve their partisan ends.” — Guy Benson, [01:01]
• "The individual has not gained entry to the golf course. He’s on the exterior of the compound.” — Lisa Brady, relaying Secret Service, [03:02]
• “Investigators say the case is being treated as a deliberate attack, but stress there was no ongoing threat to the public…” — Mary Kathryn Ham, [03:45]

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Segment Timestamps

• CDC Director Senate Hearing: [00:02–00:46]
• FBI Director & 'Arctic Frost' Probe: [00:46–01:22]
• Trump UK State Visit: [01:22–02:00]
• Trump Assassination Attempt Trial: [02:30–03:11]
• FBI Pittsburgh Incident: [03:11–04:01]
• Weather & Markets Update: [04:01–04:28]

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Conclusion

This tightly packed newscast focuses on high-profile government accountability hearings, public health leadership controversy, legal proceedings linked to attempted political violence, national security incidents, and timely market/weather updates—providing listeners with essential developments as they unfold.

Transcript

[Lisa Brady]

A fired official stands her ground on Lisa Brady, FOX News. The now former CDC director telling a Senate hearing today should not be about me. Today should be about the future of trust in Public Health. Dr. Susan Menarez says Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Wanted her to pre approve a vaccine panel's recommendations, which Kennedy has denied. He says the CDC has not done its job and needs reform. FBI directors Patel spending a second day on Capitol Hill defending his record against Democrat claims that he's using the agency to do the president's bidding, which he denies. Senate Republicans say the Biden Justice Department targeted conservative groups.

[Chuck Grassley]

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley alleges new documents related to the investigation the FBI called Arctic Frost show numerous conservative organizations like Charlie Kirk's Turning Point usa, where it was subpoenas by the government.

[Guy Benson]

It was the vehicle by which partisan FBI agents and Department of Justice prosecutors could achieve their partisan ends.

[Chuck Grassley]

The probe was launched under previous FBI director Chris Wray and served as a basis for former special counsel Jack Smith's criminal charges against President Trump.

[Lisa Brady]

Fox's Ryan Schmelz on Capitol Hill. President Trump posting that the Justice Department was weaponized. Pageantry in the UK Military bands performing outside Windsor Castle where President Trump and the first lady have been sitting alongside King Charles and Queen Camilla after earlier laying a wreath at the crypt of Queen Elizabeth II in St. George's Chapel. They'll have a state dinner later, wrapping up day one of a trip that includes a visit to the prime minister's country home tomorrow. America is listening to FOX News.

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[Lisa Brady]

The man accused of trying to kill then candidate Trump in Florida remains on trial.

[Guy Benson]

Ryan Wesley Ruth continues continues to defend himself at a federal trial in Fort Pierce, Florida on charges he tried to kill President Trump in September of last year, hiding in the shrubs at the Trump West Palm Beach Golf Club with a gun pointed through a fence. Secret Service agents found him on the bench with a gun from law enforcement communication. The recordings are now public. The agent said the gun looked like an AK47.

[Lisa Brady]

Individual has not gained entry to the golf course. He's on the exterior of the compound.

[Guy Benson]

The firearm was just one piece of evidence recovered. In Miami, Eben Brown, FOX News.

[Lisa Brady]

That trial's been moving through prosecution witnesses quickly with Ruth not asking many questions on cross examination. The suspect in a gate crashing incident at an FBI office is in custody.

[Mary Kathryn Ham]

After a brief manhunt. Donald Henson is now under arrest, accused of ramming his car into the main gate of the FBI's Pittsburgh Field Office early this morning. Police say it was around 2:40am When Hansen crashed into the gate and got out of his car, draped an American flag over the gate, then ran away. The area was immediately locked down as investigators combed through the car with bomb sniffing dogs and specialized teams. Nothing dangerous was found inside and no one was hurt. Henson now faces federal charges. Investigators say the case is being treated as a deliberate attack, but stress there was no ongoing threat to the public as they continue to examine his motives.

[Lisa Brady]

Fox's Matt Murphy. Tropical Storm Gabrielle just forming in the Atlantic for now, far from land, though, more than a thousand mil east of the northern Leeward Islands. Two hours from now, we get the Fed's latest take on the US Economy and an interest rate decision. Stocks are mixed with a rally for the Dow up more than 300 points. But the S and P and the Nasdaq are in the red. And Lisa Brady. This is FOX News.

[Guy Benson]

I'm Guy Benson in for Dana Perino.

[Mary Kathryn Ham]

This week on Perino on Politics, I'm joined by FOX News contributor Outkit columnist.

[Guy Benson]

And host of the Getting Hammered podcast.

[Mary Kathryn Ham]

Mary Kathryn Ham, my dear friend, Listen and follow [e-mail].