Fox News Hourly Update: 1AM ET 01/16/2026 Newscast

Host: Ted Lindner (FOX News Podcasts)
Date: January 16, 2026

Main Theme

This hourly newscast covers breaking domestic and international developments, with a focus on protests against ICE in Minneapolis, U.S. relations with Iran and Venezuela, a lawsuit involving former Senator Kyrsten Sinema, and details of a new U.S.-Taiwan trade deal focused on semiconductors. Remarks from President Trump and other political figures provide context on ongoing diplomatic and domestic tensions.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Minneapolis Anti-ICE Protests and Federal Response

[00:03–00:51]

• Protests Escalate:
  Anti-ICE protests intensified in Minneapolis, with demonstrators escalating actions by breaking into vehicles, stealing what appeared to be a gun safe, hurling rocks and fireworks, damaging cars, and spray-painting property.

  • Alexis McAdams (00:19):
    “Protesters broke into a vehicle. They got their hands on what appeared to be a gun safe, according to authorities, and took other gear from that vehicle... people were throwing fireworks and rocks, bashing the windshield, spray painting cars and more.”

• Violent Encounter:
  Federal agents reported they were ambushed while arresting an illegal immigrant from Venezuela. An ICE agent fired a weapon in self-defense after being attacked with a shovel and a broomstick by multiple individuals.

• Governance Response:
  President Trump has threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act and deploy troops if protests persist.

2. International Crisis: Iran Protests and Trump’s Stance

[00:51–01:19]

• Iranian Protests:
  President Trump claimed Iranian leaders informed him the killing of protesters had ended, a statement made after significant unrest in Iran.

  • Ambassador Mike Waltz to the UN Security Council (01:07):
    “He has made it clear all options are on the table to stop the slaughter and no one should know that better than the leadership of the Iranian regime.”

• Geopolitical Tensions:
  Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey warned that American military strikes could widen the conflict.

  • Iran’s Foreign Ministry (attribution paraphrased):
    Claimed to Fox News that “Israeli intelligence forces and gangs mimicking ISIS” were provoking the U.S. response.

3. Venezuela Opposition Leader & President Trump

[01:19–02:00]

• Nobel Peace Prize Gesture:
  Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Carina Machado presented her Nobel Peace Prize medal to President Trump, citing “his commitment to Venezuela’s freedom.”
  • President Trump confirmed the gesture on social media following a meeting with Machado.

4. Domestic Controversy: Former Senator Kyrsten Sinema Lawsuit

[02:40–03:23]

• Affair Allegations:
  Former Arizona Senator Kyrsten Sinema is sued by the ex-wife of a former security team member, Heather Ammel, who accused her of having an affair with Matthew Ammel, her then-husband.

  • Tom Rigotti (02:46):
    “Heather Ammel says she and her ex-husband Matthew Ammel have had a good and loving marriage with genuine love and affection. Before Sinema interfered... Heather Ammel says she discovered romantic and lascivious messages he exchanged with Sinema on the Signal messaging app in early 2024...”

• Political Impact:
  Sinema did not seek re-election in 2024 after a single term and did not respond to requests for comment.

5. U.S.-Taiwan Trade Deal: Focus on Semiconductors

[03:23–04:08]

• Tariff Structure:
  The new trade deal implements a 15% tariff on all U.S. imports from Taiwan except for carve-outs.

  • Edward Lawrence (03:27):
    “All imports coming into the United States from Taiwan would have a 15% tariff attached... includes auto parts as well as timber. Now the US will have zero tariffs on any pharmaceuticals coming into the US as well as aircraft parts and natural resources not available in the US.”

• Semiconductor Carve-out:
  Special provisions set for Taiwanese chip companies operating U.S. plants—enabling limited tariff-free importation during and after plant construction.

6. Trump on Ukraine, Russia, and Peace Talks

[04:08–04:36]

• Peace Deal Status:
  President Trump blamed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for holding up a prospective peace deal with Russia, despite Russian President Putin's willingness.
  • “President Trump says while he thinks Russian President Putin is ready to make a deal, he thinks Ukraine is less ready to.”
  • Trump met with Zelenskyy at Mar-a-Lago in December, where a 20-point peace plan was discussed and publicly endorsed by the Ukrainian president.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Alexis McAdams on protest escalation [00:19]:
  “Protesters broke into a vehicle... got their hands on what appeared to be a gun safe... people were throwing fireworks and rocks, bashing the windshield, spray painting cars...”

• Mike Waltz at the UN Security Council [01:07]:
  “He has made it clear all options are on the table to stop the slaughter and no one should know that better than the leadership of the Iranian regime.”

• Edward Lawrence on the US-Taiwan deal [03:27]:
  “All imports coming into the United States from Taiwan would have a 15% tariff attached... now the US will have zero tariffs on any pharmaceuticals... there are carve outs for semiconductors.”

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 00:03 — Minneapolis anti-ICE protests
• 00:51 — Iran protests and US reaction
• 01:19 — Venezuela’s Machado honors Trump
• 02:40 — Allegations against Kyrsten Sinema
• 03:23 — US-Taiwan trade deal details
• 04:08 — Trump on Ukraine/Russia peace deal

This episode swiftly delivered updates on escalating protest events, U.S. policy stakes abroad, shifting geopolitical alliances, evolving trade policies, and high-profile political controversies. Its urgency and pointed coverage reflect Fox News’ signature tone—direct, headline-focused, and interlaced with key political voices.