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Fox News Hourly Update – 1AM ET 01/13/2026 Newscast

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This episode delivers a fast-paced overview of top stories in U.S. politics and national security, including escalations between federal agencies and Minnesota officials over alleged welfare fraud, new U.S. tariffs on Iran, Supreme Court deliberations on tariff policy, investigations into the Federal Reserve, and federal efforts to combat public sector fraud.

Key Stories & Discussion Points

1. Federal Agents Sent to Minnesota over Welfare Fraud Allegations

[00:02] Ted Lindner reports Homeland Security is sending more agents to Minneapolis as part of ongoing ICE operations, following viral claims of widespread welfare fraud.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has filed a lawsuit against DHS, calling their increased presence an unlawful surge and accusing agents of intimidation and violence.
- Quote:
  “We asked the courts to end the DHS unlawful behavior in our state, the intimidation, the threats, the violence.”
  — Keith Ellison, [00:19]

ICE Response to Racism Allegations

[00:27] Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons refutes accusations that ICE makes arrests based on race.
- Quote:
  “You know that's 100% false. When ICE officers and ICE special agents are out there in the field, we conduct targeted enforcement so we know exactly who we're going after. So that's completely false. And baseless.”
  — Todd Lyons, [00:33]
The agent deployment stems from a conservative influencer’s YouTube video about daycare fraud in Minnesota. This prompted the federal government to pause childcare payments to Minnesota and other states.

2. U.S. Imposes Economic Pressure on Iran Amid Protests

[01:08] President Trump introduces a 25% tariff on goods imported from Iran’s trading partners, threatening military action in response to Iran's crackdown on anti-government protests.
White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt notes that Iranian officials are privately seeking talks, despite public hostility.
- Quote:
  "A far different tone than what you're seeing publicly."
  — Caroline Levitt, [01:27]
Iranian government warns U.S. intervention would make American military bases legitimate targets.

3. Supreme Court Weighs Tariffs—Major Economic Stakes

[01:40] President Trump warns of "massive financial fallout" if the Supreme Court reverses his reciprocal tariff policy, stating the U.S. may have to return "hundreds of billions of dollars in tariff revenue".
The Court's decision on the constitutionality of the president’s emergency authority on tariffs could arrive as soon as Wednesday.

4. Treasury & IRS Crackdown on Public Sector Fraud in Minnesota

[02:32] Treasury Secretary Scott Bessen announces an IRS-led task force to investigate fraud in Minnesota’s public sector.
[02:41] The investigation focuses on money transfer firms and banks suspected of facilitating fraudulent transactions. Treasury’s FinCEN (Financial Crimes Enforcement Network) has notified four firms under investigation (specific names not disclosed).
- Quote:
  “Treasury's Financial Crimes enforcement network… has already notified four money transfer firms that they are under investigation.”
  — Grady Trimble, [02:41]
IRS is auditing banks involved in questionable wire transfers to assess potential money laundering.

5. Legal Battles Over Federal Funds to Democrat-Led States

[03:14] A federal judge has blocked the administration from freezing $10 billion in federal funds to several states, which some claim is retaliation for political opposition.

6. Criminal Investigation Threats Against Federal Reserve Chair

[03:33] Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell responds to grand jury subpoenas over his testimony on Fed building cost overruns, highlighting his commitment to nonpartisan action.
- Quote:
  “I have carried out my duties without political fear or favor.”
  — Jerome Powell, [03:33]
Powell calls the criminal threats “pretexts” in response to the Fed’s independent interest rate decisions, not presidential will.
- Quote:
  “The threat of criminal charges is a consequence of the Federal Reserve setting interest rates based on our best assessment of what will serve the public rather than following the preferences of the president.”
  — Jerome Powell, [03:56]
Earlier testimony explained cost overruns at the Fed including amenities like "VIP elevators" and "marble roof terrace gardens".
Justice Department prioritizes investigations into alleged abuse of taxpayer dollars.

Notable Moments & Quotes

[00:19] Keith Ellison calls for court intervention against DHS:
“We asked the courts to end the DHS unlawful behavior in our state, the intimidation, the threats, the violence.”
[00:33] ICE Director Todd Lyons rebuffs racial profiling claims:
“That's 100% false… we conduct targeted enforcement so we know exactly who we're going after.”
[01:27] Caroline Levitt on Iran’s private communications:
“A far different tone than what you're seeing publicly.”
[03:33] / [03:56] Jerome Powell defends Fed’s independence:
“I have carried out my duties without political fear or favor.”
“The threat of criminal charges is a consequence of the Federal Reserve setting interest rates based on our best assessment of what will serve the public rather than following the preferences of the president.”

Key Timestamps

00:02 – DHS sending agents to Minnesota; state files lawsuit
00:27 – ICE Director responds to accusations
01:08 – U.S. tariffs and Iran protests update
01:40 – Trump warns of tariff policy fallout amid Supreme Court review
02:32–02:41 – Treasury announces IRS task force for Minnesota fraud
03:14 – Judge blocks freeze on federal funds to Democrat-led states
03:33–03:56 – Jerome Powell, Federal Reserve response to subpoena and criminal threats

This summary captures the core news and illuminating quotes from the Fox News Hourly Update, offering listeners a rapid-yet-comprehensive view of urgent U.S. national issues at the start of January 13, 2026.

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Transcript21 lines

[00:03]
A
More agents to Minnesota. I'm Ted Lindner, Fox News. The Department of Homeland Security planning to send more agents to Minneapolis amid ICE operations in response to claims of widespread welfare fraud. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announcing a lawsuit against the dhs, saying he wants to end what he called a surge in personnel.
[00:20]
B
We asked the courts to end the DHS unlawful behavior in our state, the intimidation, the threats, the violence.
[00:28]
A
Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons responding to allegations by Minnesota's leaders that ICE is arresting people based on race.
[00:34]
B
You know that's 100% false. When ICE officers and ICE special agents are out there in the field, we conduct targeted enforcement so we know exactly who we're going after. So that's completely false. And baseless.
[00:44]
A
Lions making the comments on the Fox News Channel. ICE and Department of Homeland Security agents were deployed to Minnesota after conservative influencer Nick Shirley's YouTube video alleging daycare fraud went viral. The federal government paused childcare payments to Minnesota and other states in response. President Trump applying economic pressure on Iran as the regime cracks down on anti government protests. Fox's Jared Halpern with more from the White House.
[01:08]
B
Iran's trading partners will face a 25% tariff on goods imported to the U.S. president Trump says as he threatens military strikes over Iran's response to protests across the country. Still, White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt says Iranian officials are reaching out to the administration to set up talks, expressing.
[01:27]
C
A far different tone than what you're.
[01:29]
B
Seeing publicly in public. Iranian leaders have warned US Intervention would make US Military bases legitimate targets at the White House. Jared Halpern, FOX News and President Trump.
[01:40]
A
Warning the US Would face massive financial fallout if the Supreme Court strikes down its reciprocal tariff policy. Writing on Truth Social, the president said the government could be forced to repay hundreds of billions of dollars in tariff revenue. The court could rule as early as Wednesday on whether the president's emergency tower of authority is constitutional. America's listening to Fox News.
[02:02]
C
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[02:32]
A
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessen says his department is cracking down on public sector fraud in Minnesota, announcing an IRS task force, Fox Business Network's Grady Trimble.
[02:41]
D
Explains this task force is specifically looking into money transfer firms and banks, other financial institutions that may have facilitated the fraud. As part of this crackdown, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant says Treasury's Financial Crimes enforcement network, or FinCEN, has already notified four money transfer firms that they are under investigation. Bessant did not say which ones those are. He also says the IRS is auditing some banks involved in wire transfers looking into money laundering.
[03:14]
A
A federal judge recently halted the administration from freezing about $10 billion worth of federal funds to multiple Democrat led states. Above that, those states argue is retaliation from the president. And President Trump says he knew nothing about an investigation into the head of the Federal Reserve. Fox Business Edward Lawrence has more from the White House.
[03:33]
B
I have carried out my duties without political fear or favor.
[03:37]
E
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell with a sharp response to the administration's threat of criminal charges, the Federal Reserve chairman confirmed criminal grand jury subpoenas arrived Friday over his testimony from a June Senate Banking Committee hearing which where Powell defended the cost overruns in two Fed building renovations exceeding $2.6 billion.
[03:56]
B
Those are pretexts. The threat of criminal charges is a consequence of the Federal Reserve setting interest rates based on our best assessment of what will serve the public rather than following the preferences of the president.
[04:09]
E
During that hearing, Powell answered charges that the buildings were getting VIP elevators, new marble roof, terrace gardens and and other special amenities.
[04:18]
A
The Justice Department says it's prioritizing investigations into any abuse of taxpayer dollars. I'm Ted Lindner and this is Fox News. This is Ainsley Earhart.
[04:30]
C
Thank you for joining me for the.
[04:31]
A
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[04:36]
B
Hope, comfort and understanding of the greatest story ever told. Listen and follow now@foxnewspodcasts.com or wherever you listen to podcasts.