2AM ET 04/02/2026 Newscast

Summary

Fox News Hourly Update – 2AM ET 04/02/2026

Host: Sue Guzman, FOX News Podcasts
Date: April 2, 2026

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Episode Overview

This episode provides a concise update on major U.S. and world news events, focusing on President Trump’s national address about the ongoing conflict with Iran (“Operation Epic Fury”), NASA’s moon mission launch, Supreme Court arguments over the executive order on birthright citizenship, Congressional developments on Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding, and changes to U.S. sanctions on Venezuela.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. President Trump’s Address on Iran Conflict

Segment: [00:03] – [01:03]

• President Trump addressed the nation, promising the conflict with Iran (“Epic Fury”) will end within two to three weeks, emphasizing that U.S. military objectives are nearly achieved.
• The address highlighted two main themes:
  • Timeline – Conflict resolution expected soon.
  • Passing of the Torch – Encouraging other nations reliant on the Strait of Hormuz to secure their own energy interests.

Notable Quotes:

• "We are on track to complete all of America's military objectives shortly, very shortly. We are going to hit them extremely hard over the next two to three weeks."
  — President Trump ([00:28])
• "Go to the strait and just take it, protect it, use it for yourselves. Iran has been essentially decimated."
  — President Trump ([00:45])

Contextual Comparison:

• The anchor noted that, unlike extended wars of the 20th century (WWI, WWII, Vietnam, Iraq), “Operation Epic Fury” has lasted only 32 days.

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2. NASA Launches Moon Mission

Segment: [01:03] – [01:56]

• NASA successfully launched its first crewed moon mission in more than 50 years: Artemis II.
• Four astronauts embarked on a 10-day mission to circle the moon, marking a major step in the Artemis lunar exploration program.
• Despite weather and mechanical concerns, the launch proceeded from Kennedy Space Center at 6:35pm.
• The mission aims to test critical hardware for future lunar expeditions, with splashdown off San Diego scheduled for April 10.

Notable Quote:

• "NASA said this will help test the systems and hardware needed to continue sending astronauts on increasingly difficult missions to explore more of the moon for scientific discovery."
  — Brandy Campbell ([01:27])

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3. Supreme Court Debates Birthright Citizenship

Segment: [03:08] – [03:56]

• The Supreme Court heard arguments regarding President Trump’s executive order attempting to end birthright citizenship.
• ACLU attorney Cecilia Wong warned of widespread and retroactive citizenship loss.
• Government lawyers claimed a need to “correct long enduring misconceptions” about the 14th Amendment.
• President Trump attended the session, marking a historic first for a sitting president.

Notable Quote:

• "Swathes of American laws would be rendered senseless. Thousands of American babies will immediately lose their citizenship. And if you credit the government's theory, the citizenship of millions of Americans past, present and future could be called into question."
  — Cecilia Wong, ACLU ([03:29])

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4. Compromise on DHS Funding Bill

Segment: [03:56] – [04:43]

• Congressional Republicans reached agreement on a plan to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), except for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
• The compromise aligns with a Senate-passed bill, previously criticized by House Speaker Mike Johnson, but now endorsed by President Trump.
• Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer remarked that House Republicans had “caved” to Senate Democrats.
• President Trump expressed urgency for the bill’s passage, setting a June 1st deadline.

Notable Details:

• This situation has produced the longest DHS shutdown in U.S. history.

Quote:

• "Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer writing on X House Republicans caved. They've agreed to pass the Senate bill to fund DHS. Except for ICE and CBP..."
  — Bill Melusion ([04:33])

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5. U.S. Lifts Sanctions on Venezuela’s Acting President

Segment: [04:43] – [05:04]

• The U.S. lifted sanctions against Delsey Rodriguez, Venezuela’s acting president.
• The policy shift enables increased engagement between Rodriguez, U.S. companies, and potential investors, marking a significant move in international relations.

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Memorable Moments & Timestamps

| Timestamp | Event / Quote | | --------- | ------------- | | [00:28] | President Trump: "We are on track to complete all of America's military objectives shortly, very shortly..." | | [00:45] | Trump urges foreign powers: "Go to the strait and just take it, protect it, use it for yourselves. Iran has been essentially decimated." | | [01:27] | NASA’s Artemis II to “test systems and hardware” for future missions | | [03:29] | ACLU’s Cecilia Wong warns of “thousands of American babies” losing citizenship | | [04:33] | Chuck Schumer accuses House Republicans of having “caved” on DHS funding | | [04:43] | Record-breaking DHS shutdown marked by Trump’s June 1st deadline |

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Episode Tone & Style

• Direct and authoritative. The coverage is fast-paced and designed for rapid news consumption.
• Features official statements, expert commentary, and succinct technical explanations matching FOX’s signature news delivery style.

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Summary

This newscast offered a snapshot of major U.S. political and world events with a focus on presidential action and historic developments, from frontier politics to lunar exploration, judicial debates, and seismic shifts in international policy. For listeners seeking critical updates, this episode distilled several high-profile stories into digestible, headline-driven segments, with notable quotes and context.

Transcript

[Sue Guzman]

He says it'll wrap up shortly. I'm Sue Guzman, FOX News. In an address to the nation Wednesday night, President Trump promising that the conflict with Iran will be over in two to three weeks, saying the US Is close to achieving its objectives.

[Fox News Anchor]

There were two main pillars of the president's address to the nation. There was the timeline and there was the passing of the torch. First, the timeline for wrapping up Epic Fury.

[President Trump]

We are on track to complete all of America's military objectives shortly, very shortly. We are going to hit them extremely hard over the next two to three weeks.

[Fox News Anchor]

Next, the passing of the torch to countries to get more energy than the US from the Strait of Hormuz.

[President Trump]

Go to the strait and just take it, protect it, use it for yourselves. Iran has been essentially decimated.

[Fox News Anchor]

Context offered from the commander in chief that World War I and World War II and Vietnam and Iraq all stretched on for years. But Epic Fury has gone just 32 days.

[Sue Guzman]

Fox's Peter Doocy NASA has launched its first mission to the moon in over a half century, the 32 story rocket blasting off from the Kennedy Space center in Florida.

[Brandy Campbell]

Fox's Brandy Campbell, it's official NASA has sent four astronauts into space on a 10 day journey with the goal of taking a test ride around the moon as part of Artemis II mission. After some minor weather concerns and a couple of issues that were addressed in the last couple of hours of the countdown, the rocket finally made that rumble, taking off at 6:35pm from Launch Complex 39B. NASA said this will help test the systems and hardware needed to continue sending astronauts on increasingly difficult missions to explore more of the moon for scientific discovery. If everything goes as scheduled, the crew will splash down off the coast of San Diego on April 10th.

[Sue Guzman]

Brandy Campbell, Fox Weather America's listening to FOX News.

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[Sue Guzman]

The Supreme Court is considering the case surrounding President Trump's executive order banning birthright citizenship.

[Court Reporter]

Justices on the Supreme Court had tough questions for both sides in oral arguments over President Trump's push to ban automatic citizenship for children born on US Soil. Arguing for the plaintiffs, ACLU attorney Cecilia Wong condemned the executive order.

[ACLU Attorney Cecilia Wong]

Swathes of American laws would be rendered senseless. Thousands of American babies will immediately lose their citizenship. And if you credit the government's theory, the citizenship of millions of Americans past, present and future could be called into question.

[Court Reporter]

The government's lawyer urged the court to, quote, correct long enduring misconceptions of the 14th Amendment's meaning. Trump attended the arguments, becoming the first sentence sitting president to do so. Tonya J. Powers, Fox News.

[Sue Guzman]

Republicans in the House and Senate reaching an agreement on funding for the Department of Homeland Security. Fox's Bill Melusion the Capitol with details.

[Bill Melusion]

House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune are now on the same page announcing a Trump approved plan to pass a bill that would fund all of DHS except ICE and cbp. It's similar to the bill the Senate passed with Democratic support at 2am last Friday. Hours later, Speaker Johnson trashed that Senate bill. But now with President Trump's approval, Thune and Johnson say that Senate pass bill is the path forward and Democrats are claiming victory. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer writing on X House Republicans caved. They've agreed to pass the Senate bill to fund dhs. Except for ICE and CBP that unanimously passed a week ago.

[Sue Guzman]

This is the longest DHS shutdown in history. President Trump said in a truth social post that he wants the bill on his desk by June 1st. And the United States lifting sanctions against Venezuela's Acting President Delsey Rodriguez on Wednesday. This will allow her to work more freely with US Companies as well as investors. I'm Sue Gossman.

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