1AM ET 12/03/2025 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update: 1AM ET 12/03/2025 Newscast

Host: Ted Lindner (with reporting and commentary by Jeanine Pirro, Chad Pergram, CB Cotton, Lisa Brady)
Date: December 3, 2025

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Episode Overview

This episode delivers a rapid-fire roundup of pressing national and international news stories, focusing on U.S. political developments, ongoing legal cases, heightened military tensions in the Caribbean, and noteworthy local decisions with national implications. The newscast maintains a brisk, fact-driven tone, punctuated by recurring commentary and remarks from Fox News personalities and featured lawmakers.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Republican Victory in Tennessee's 7th District

(00:02–00:24)

• Matt Van Epps (Republican) wins a special election, defeating Democrat Afton Bain, drawing national political attention.
• Van Epps credits his victory to the support of President Trump.
  • Notable Quote:
    “President Trump was all in with us and it made the difference in Congress. I’ll be all in with him.”
    — Jeanine Pirro, relaying Van Epps' gratitude (00:17)
• Result: Republicans maintain a narrow 219-213 majority in the House.

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2. U.S. Military Action in the Caribbean; Congressional Pushback

(00:24–01:14)

• The Pentagon conducted strikes against an alleged Venezuelan drug boat. Navy Admiral Frank Bradley ordered the operation.
• Bipartisan congressional scrutiny arises over the strikes’ legality and escalation potential.
  • Lawmakers question if U.S. actions in Venezuela constitute an act of war, pressing for clearer justification and congressional authorization.
  • Memorable Exchanges:
    “This is wartime.”
    — Unnamed Republican Lawmaker (00:45)
    “Why not have a declaration of war?”
    — Chad Pergram (00:46)
    “Maybe we’ll get there. This will be an endless war.”
    — Unnamed Republican Lawmaker (00:48)
    “Whatever we do there will be very quick.”
    — Unnamed Republican Lawmaker (00:50)
• Warning: Lawmakers may trigger a War Powers vote if further unauthorized strikes occur.

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3. D.C. National Guard Shooting: Afghan National Faces Charges

(01:14–01:49)

• Ramanula Laconwell (Afghan national) pleads not guilty to charges stemming from the shooting of two National Guard troops in D.C.—one soldier has died.
• Charges include first-degree murder, assault with intent to kill, and two weapons counts.
• Plea was entered remotely from Laconwell’s hospital bed.
• U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro commends the judge's decision to deny bail.
  • Notable Quote:
    “She made it clear that she believed that he crossed the country with a weapon with the intent to commit a crime of violence.”
    — Ted Lindner quoting the judge (01:41)
  • Pirro expresses confidence in the government’s case; next pre-trial date set for January 14.

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4. U.S.–Russia Talks on Ukraine, High-Profile NYC Murder Trial

(02:32–03:31)

• Russia-Ukraine War:
  • Putin's adviser expresses cautious optimism after talks with President Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff; “a lot of work still remains.”
• Murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO:
  • Luigi Mangione is on trial for the murder of Brian Thompson. CB Cotton reports on police testimony recounting Mangione’s arrest at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania.
    • Key evidence: gun silencer and notebook in Mangione's backpack, contested by the defense as illegally obtained.

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5. Miami Land Transfer for Proposed Trump Presidential Library

(03:31–04:25)

• Miami Dade College trustees approve—unanimously—a controversial land gift for a future Trump presidential library.
• The parcel: over two acres of prime, downtown Miami land.
• Legal obstacles: Ongoing lawsuit claims the first vote failed proper notice; a judge has temporarily blocked the transfer.
  • Supporters: Urging focus on the "bigger picture" and academic benefits.
  • Opposition: Some vehemently object, citing proximity to Freedom Tower (a symbol for immigrants).
    • Memorable Quote:
      “If you think you can make this lawsuit go away by holding this meeting, you should have another thing called.”
      — Jeanine Pirro (reading a critic’s remarks, 03:56)

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• On the Venezuela strikes:
  “This is wartime…Maybe we’ll get there. This will be an endless war.”
  — Unnamed Republican Lawmaker (00:45–00:48)

• On the Miami presidential library land dispute:
  “A presidential library is an asset to any academic institution.”
  — Unnamed Supporter (04:15)
  “An abomination next to Miami’s Freedom Tower, symbolizing hope for immigrants.”
  — Opponent (04:21)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• Tennessee Special Election Results: 00:02–00:24
• Venezuelan Strike Congressional Scrutiny: 00:24–01:14
• DC Guard Shooting & Legal Proceedings: 01:14–01:49
• Russia–US Ukraine Talks & Mangione Trial: 02:32–03:31
• Miami Land Transfer for Trump Library: 03:31–04:25

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Tone & Style

The episode maintains Fox News’ signature brisk pacing and straight-to-the-point reporting, with interspersed energetic commentary from anchors and correspondents. Emotional resonance is particularly evident in accounts of political allegiance, legal proceedings, and local controversies with national import.

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This summary provides a comprehensive snapshot of the top news stories covered in the 1AM ET FOX News Hourly Update on December 3, 2025, capturing the urgency and breadth of the headlines without commentary on non-content segments.

Transcript

[Ted Lindner]

A win for Republicans in Tennessee. I'm Ted Lindner. Fox News Republican Matt Van Epps has won Tennessee's 7th congressional district against Democrat state Representative Afton Bain in a special election contest that drew national attention. After the win, Van Epps thanked President Trump.

[Jeanine Pirro]

President Trump was all in with us and it made the difference in Congress. I'll be all in with him.

[Ted Lindner]

Republicans maintain their narrow 219 to 213 majority looking for answers after the Pentagon struck an alleged Venezuelan drug boat.

[Chad Pergram]

TW as Chad Pergram bipartisan questions about US Strikes in the Caribbean. The administration says Navy Admiral Frank Bradley ordered the strikes. He speaks with lawmakers Thursday. One Republican even suggested the US Is actually at war.

[Unnamed Republican Lawmaker]

This is wartime.

[Chad Pergram]

Why not have a declaration of war?

[Unnamed Republican Lawmaker]

Maybe we'll get there. This will be an endless war.

[Ted Lindner]

But it would be a war.

[Unnamed Republican Lawmaker]

It'll be, it'll be. Well, your definition of a war. You said this will be, this will be a very. Whatever we do there will be very quick.

[Chad Pergram]

One Republican accused the White House of shifting justifications for the strikes. Lawmakers believe the administration Administration owes Congress answers. Bipartisan lawmakers will trigger a war powers vote if the US Carries out what they say is an unauthorized strike on Venezuela.

[Ted Lindner]

And an Afghan national has pleaded not guilty following the shooting of two National.

[Jeanine Pirro]

Guard troops in D.C. ramanula Laconwell now knows the charges he faces after two National Guard soldiers were shot last week and one died. They are first degree murder, assault with intent to kill and two counts for possession of a firearm. Loconwell pleaded not guilty remotely from his hospital bed. U.S. attorney Jeanine Pirro praised the federal judge in the case for her decision to hold the suspect without bond.

[Ted Lindner]

She made it clear that she believed that he crossed the country with a weapon with the intent to commit a crime of violence.

[Jeanine Pirro]

Pirro said she believes the government will prove its case against Leconwell, whose next pre trial court date is set for January 14th.

[Ted Lindner]

America's listening to Fox News.

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[Ted Lindner]

A senior adviser to Russian President Vladimir Putin says the latest talks between Russia and the US on ending the war in Ukraine were productive, but a lot of work still remains. Putin meeting with President Trump's envoy, Steve Witkoff. Accused killer Luigi Mangione is back in a New York courtroom on Tuesday charged with the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. That shooting happening one year ago this Thursday.

[CB Cotton]

Fox's CB Cotton witness testimony revealing new details about how the days long manhunt for Luigi Mangione came to an end at a McDonald's in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Altoona, Pennsylvania, police Officer Joseph Detwiler testified for hours about taking Mangione into custody at that McDonald's after customers spotted Mangione in a beanie and surgical mask. Detweiler said once he asked Mangione to take down the mask, he recognized him immediately. Officer Detwiler said he then became nervous moving Mangione's backpack, fearing a firearm could be inside of it.

[Ted Lindner]

Prosecutors say a gun silencer and a notebook with writings found inside Mangione's backpack. The defense says that evidence was obtained illegally. And the transfer of college land in South Florida for a presidential library has won approval for a second time.

[Lisa Brady]

It's prime real estate, more than 2 acres in downtown Miami worth tens of millions. But the board of trustees for Miami Dade College voting unanimously to transfer it to the state as a gift for the future Trump presidential library.

[Jeanine Pirro]

If you think you can make this lawsuit go away by holding this meeting, you should have another thing called.

[Lisa Brady]

Richard Brodsky is one of two people who sued after the board's first vote claiming insufficient notice. And a judge has temporarily blocked the transfer. But supporters urging the board to focus on the bigger picture. Don't let yourself be intimidated. A presidential library is an asset to any academic institution. One opponent calls the proposed location an abomination next to Miami's Freedom Tower, symbolizing hope for immigrants.

[Ted Lindner]

LISA brady, FOX News and I'm Ted Lindner. This is FOX News. This is Ainsley Earhart.

[Lisa Brady]

Thank you for joining me for the.

[Ted Lindner]

52 episode podcast series the Life of Jesus Listening experience that will provide hope.

[Jeanine Pirro]

Comfort and understanding of the greatest story ever told. Listen and follow [e-mail] or wherever you listen to podcasts.