Fox News Hourly Update: 1AM ET 01/04/2026 Newscast

Date: January 4, 2026
Host: Debra Valentine (FOX News Podcasts)

Episode Overview

This episode delivers a rapid-fire update on major breaking news: the dramatic U.S. military capture and extradition of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife to New York on narco-terrorism charges. The episode covers emerging political fallout in Washington, international ramifications, and a serious flu outbreak in New York State.

Major News Story: Maduro’s Capture and Extradition

The Operation

• Capture Details
  • Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife were captured overnight in Caracas by the U.S. military and brought to Manhattan Detention Center in Brooklyn.
  • They arrived in New York via the USS Iwo Jima.
  • The operation was kept secret from Congress, sparking immediate controversy.
    • (Debra Valentine, 00:02; Madeline Rivera, 00:22)

Quote:

“Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife have arrived at the Manhattan Detention center in Brooklyn, New York. They'll face narco terrorism charges after their daring overnight capture and arrest by US Military in Caracas.”
— Debra Valentine [00:02]

• Indictments and U.S. Intentions
  • The Southern District of New York issued a superseding indictment, accusing Maduro of leading a government centered on corruption and drug trafficking.
  • President Trump is cited as having an interest in Venezuela’s oil and suggests American companies may soon rebuild the nation's oil infrastructure.
  • Plans are underway to establish a transitional government.
    • (Madeline Rivera, 00:22)

Quote:

“President Trump indicates there's an interest in the country's oil too, forecasting a future in which he sees oil companies rebuilding the country's oil infrastructure.”
— Madeline Rivera [00:22]

Political Fallout in the U.S.

• Congressional Oversight Concerns

  • Congress was not notified in advance.
  • The Senate is expected to debate presidential war powers next week.
  • The UN Security Council is scheduling an emergency session on Monday in New York.
    • (Debra Valentine, 01:05)

• Military and DOJ Perspective

  • The early-morning military action was initiated as a DOJ operation, with the intention to press federal narco-terrorism charges.
    • (Jared Halpern, 01:20)

Quote:

“President Trump says Maduro will face federal narco terror charges in New York. He also says the US Will now run Venezuela and rebuild the country's oil infrastructure until a proper transition of power can take place.”
— Jared Halpern [01:42]

Domestic Political Reaction

Congressional Criticism

• Lack of Notification
  • Arizona Democratic Senator Ruben Gallego criticizes the administration for acting without Congress’s consent.
    • (Debra Valentine, 02:39)

Quote:

“People do not want us to occupy... we don't want to go to war again for another, you know, oil again.”
— Ruben Gallego [02:51]

White House and GOP Defense

• Explanation of Secrecy

  • Secretary of State Marco Rubio argues the mission faced too many operational variables for pre-notification:
    • “Not the kind of mission that you can do Congressional notification on. It was a trigger-based mission in which conditions had to be met night after night...”
      — Marco Rubio [03:10]

• On Democratic Criticisms

  • Texas Republican Dan Crenshaw rebuts by linking the operation with attempts to address root causes of illegal immigration.
    • (03:39)

Quote:

“You can't say, oh well, we want to take care of the root problems that cause illegal immigration and then be also mad when you take care of the root problems ... like a communist dictator that destroyed his country and made everyone flee.”
— Dan Crenshaw [03:39]

• The Senate will examine legality next week; the UN Security Council meets Monday post-capture.
  • (Debra Valentine, 03:53)

Additional News: New York State Flu Crisis

• Record Hospitalizations

  • New York is experiencing unprecedented flu hospitalizations—over 4,500 in the last week of December, with a notable increase of 1,000 over the prior week.
    • (Chris DeMaio, 04:06)

• Health Official Recommendations

  • Public urged to get flu shots and remain proactive.
    • (Debra Valentine, 04:31)

Notable Quotes & Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote or Summary | |-----------|------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:02 | Debra Valentine | “They'll face narco terrorism charges after their daring overnight capture…” | | 00:22 | Madeline Rivera | “The president conveying as being a last ditch operation to get vetted…” | | 01:30 | Analyst | “Maduro was the kingpin of a vast criminal network responsible for trafficking colossal amounts...” | | 01:42 | Jared Halpern | “US Will now run Venezuela and rebuild the country's oil infrastructure…” | | 03:10 | Marco Rubio | “Not the kind of mission you can do Congressional notification on…” | | 03:39 | Dan Crenshaw | “You can't say, oh well, we want to take care of the root problems…” | | 04:06 | Chris DeMaio | “...recorded the highest number of hospitalizations in a week since it started collecting data 20 years ago.” |

Important Segments & Timestamps

• Maduro Capture & Legal Charges – 00:02–01:42
• Congressional and UN Response – 01:05–01:57, 03:53
• Domestic Political Debate – 02:39–03:39
• New York Flu Outbreak – 04:06–04:31

Summary

This newscast delivers a concise yet detailed look at the U.S. military’s dramatic capture of Nicolas Maduro, the legal and geopolitical challenges arising in its wake, and an urgent public health update. The reporting weaves together swift developments from military action to congressional debates—with the voices of lawmakers, administration officials, and analysts—anchored by Fox News correspondents. The episode concludes with a warning on a severe flu season, keeping its focus on major, fast-moving events shaping the day.