Fox News Hourly Update – 1PM ET 12/08/2025

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This episode covers key national and international news updates, with a focus on Supreme Court arguments over presidential firing powers, airline penalty settlements, ongoing political accountability issues in Minnesota, and diplomatic developments related to Ukraine and Gaza.

Key Discussion Points

1. Supreme Court Hears Case on Presidential Firing Powers

• Issue: Can the president fire FTC commissioners without cause?
• Background: President Trump fired FTC Commissioner Lisa Slaughter, but Congress limited firings to cases of “inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance.”
• Arguments Presented:
  • Solicitor General John Sauer argues the Constitution "confers all executive power on the president" and the statutory limits infringe on that authority.

    "We think the text of the Constitution...confers the executive power, all of it, on the president."
    — John Sauer, 00:28–00:32

  • FTC Attorney Amit Agarwal contends Congress deliberately protected the FTC from at-will firings to preserve agency independence.

    "When Congress created the agency, they agreed this was the kind of agency that should be insulated from presidential at-will removal."
    — Amit Agarwal, 00:32–00:38

  • Context: Trump justified the firing by stating Slaughter’s retention conflicted with his administration’s priorities.
• Notable Moment: Focus on constitutional limits versus congressional statutory power and its impact on agency independence.

2. Southwest Airlines Fine Waiver and DOT Reforms

• News: The US Department of Transportation will waive the final $11 million of an initial fine imposed on Southwest Airlines after mass flight cancellations in December 2022.
  • Cause of Disruption: Crippled computerized crew scheduling during a winter storm, affecting 17,000 flights and stranding 2 million passengers.
  • Settlement: Southwest paid a $140 million penalty, largely to compensate travelers.
  • DOT’s Reason: Waiver linked to Southwest’s investments in operational improvements.

    "The Transportation Department citing Southwest's investments to improve operations in the waiver decision."
    — Lisa Brady, 01:41

• Regulatory Note: The Trump administration has abandoned Biden-era proposals for mandatory cash compensation for travelers affected by flight disruptions.

3. Minnesota COVID Fraud Scandal and FBI Accountability

• Controversy: Ilhan Omar highlights an extensive COVID-era fraud scheme in Minnesota, criticizing federal and state oversight.
  • Omar Points Out: Misappropriated tax dollars went to luxury goods and terror-linked groups.

    "There were always those alarms about the COVID era Minnesota fraud scheme in which tax dollars went to luxury homes, cars and even to Somali linked terror organizations."
    — Ilhan Omar, 02:22

  • Allegation: “A failure of the FBI and our court system.”

    "That is a failure of the FBI and our court system in not figuring that out and basically charging them."
    — Ilhan Omar, 02:38

  • State Response: Governor Tim Walz denies prior knowledge, welcomes federal investigation, and responds to criticism tied to comments about Somali immigrants from President Trump.

    "Walls has said he welcomes a federal investigation but has criticized President Trump for comments about Somali immigrants, including Omar."
    — Lisa Brady, 03:04

4. Ukraine and Gaza Peace Negotiations

• Ukraine: President Zelensky calls ongoing London talks “productive”, with proposals expected imminently as the US mediates.
  • Concern: Peace plan discussions draw skepticism from multiple stakeholders.
• Gaza: Upcoming December 29th meeting between President Trump and Israel’s Prime Minister on phase two of the US-brokered ceasefire.
  • Phase One: Hostage release, Israeli partial withdrawal, opening aid corridors.
  • Phase Two: Further Israeli withdrawal, Hamas disarmament, and establishment of an international security force in Gaza.

    "The second phase would see a further withdrawal of Israeli troops, Hamas disarming, [and] an international security force deployed in a civilian technocratic government in Gaza."
    — Jared Halpern, 03:36

  • Open Questions: Who will make up the security force and will Hamas comply?

5. Financial Markets Update

• Markets: Dow Jones down 208 points ahead of a pivotal Federal Reserve meeting.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Presidential Power and Independence of Agencies:

  "We think the text of the Constitution...confers the executive power, all of it, on the president."
  — John Sauer, 00:28–00:32

• FTC Insulation Rationale:

  "When Congress created the agency, they agreed this was the kind of agency that should be insulated from presidential at-will removal."
  — Amit Agarwal, 00:32–00:38

• Omar on Minnesota Fraud:

  "There were always those alarms about the COVID era Minnesota fraud scheme in which tax dollars went to luxury homes, cars and even to Somali linked terror organizations."
  — Ilhan Omar, 02:22

• Accountability Allegations:

  "That is a failure of the FBI and our court system in not figuring that out and basically charging them."
  — Ilhan Omar, 02:38

• Gaza Ceasefire Complexity:

  "Questions remain over the makeup of that security force and Hamas's commitment to laying down its weapons."
  — Jared Halpern, 03:36

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:03 — Supreme Court hears arguments on presidential firing powers
• 01:07 — Southwest Airlines fine settlement update
• 02:15 — Ilhan Omar comments on Minnesota fraud scandal
• 03:04 — Ukraine peace talks and Gaza ceasefire plan developments
• 04:02 — Market update

This summary captures the essential news coverage, key opinions, and significant quotes from the Fox News Hourly Update, offering a concise but detailed resource for listeners who missed the broadcast.