2AM ET 07/31/2026 Newscast

Summary

---

Fox News Hourly Update – 2AM ET, July 31, 2026

Host: Chris DiMaio | Reporters: Jackie Heinrich, Christina Coleman, Chad Pergram, Rand Paul
Date: July 31, 2026

---

Overview

This episode delivers fast-paced coverage of major headlines, focusing on President Trump’s foreign policy maneuvers in the Middle East—including a peace deal with Hamas and escalating tensions with Iran—domestic legislative battles, earthquake aftermath in Japan, and key updates on U.S. veterans’ initiatives and legal actions related to COVID-19 oversight.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Historic Gaza Disarmament Agreement

• President Trump Announces Major Breakthrough
  • Trump declares via Truth Social that a “historic agreement” has been reached for the full disarmament of Hamas and other armed factions in Gaza, marking a pivotal step in ending the conflict and advancing his administration’s peace plan.
  • The deal purportedly facilitates a new Palestinian government partnership and increased Israeli security.
  • [00:03]

    “President Trump says a historic agreement has been reached to fully disarm Hamas and other armed groups in Gaza...”
    — Chris DiMaio

• Future Steps Regarding Iran
  • The administration is evaluating additional moves involving Iran to reinforce peace and stability in the region.

2. U.S. Escalation Options with Iran

• ‘Go Big’ Military Strategy Under Consideration
  • Reporting by Jackie Heinrich:
    • Trump, described as being in an “escalatory mood,” is weighing significant military responses, as outlined by CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper.
    • The “Go Big” plan reportedly involves 10–14 days of intensive airstrikes on Iranian missile and command sites, following the deaths of four U.S. soldiers.
    • [00:28]

      “The Go Big option, as it is being called, was reportedly prepared by the CENTCOM commander, Admiral Brad Cooper, who presented it to the president on Air Force One after the dignified transfer of those four soldiers recently killed overseas.”
      — Jackie Heinrich

• Sanctions on China, India, and Iran
  • U.S. State Department announces sanctions against entities and individuals supporting the Iranian regime.
  • [01:06]

    “The State Department announcing U.S. sanctions on entities and individuals in China, India and Iran who help enable the Iranian regime.”
    — Chris DiMaio

3. Regional Reactions and Potential for Wider Conflict

• Pressure on Trump and Complex Regional Dynamics
  • Christina Coleman highlights:
    • Trump assessing a broader strike on Iran’s weapon systems, with U.S. allies discouraging escalation amid fears of new war fronts.
    • Regional closure risks intensify after the Houthis declare a Red Sea naval blockade.
    • U.S. partners urge a response against China’s suspected military support for Iran, though China denies involvement and claims to promote peace.
    • [01:17]

      “US Allies in the region are trying to prevent another war front after the Houthis declared a naval blockade on the Red Sea.”
      — Christina Coleman

4. International News: Japan Earthquake

• Casualty Update
  • 34 confirmed dead and dozens injured after a powerful earthquake in southwestern Japan.
  • [01:47]

    “34 people are now confirmed dead from this week's powerful earthquake in southwestern Japan.”
    — Chris DiMaio

5. Domestic Policy: Veteran Drivers & Immigration

• Freedom Haulers Initiative
  • Trump announces expansion of commercial driver’s license (CDL) eligibility for military veterans and stricter rules for illegal immigrants and non-English speakers.
  • Veterans with heavy vehicle experience can now bypass redundant road tests when seeking a CDL.
  • [02:32]

    “President Trump announcing the Freedom Haulers initiative, expanding commercial driver's license eligibility for veterans and cracking down on licenses held by illegal immigrants and non-English speakers.”
    — Chris DiMaio

    “Any veteran with a heavy vehicle experience from the military, will now be eligible to skip redundant road tests to obtain a commercial driver's licenses.”
    — Rand Paul (02:51)

  • 34 states have signed onto the program.

6. Congressional Action: Anthony Fauci Contempt Debate

• Senate Efforts to Hold Dr. Fauci Accountable
  • Rand Paul spearheads action to hold Dr. Anthony Fauci in contempt for not cooperating with a COVID-19 hearing.
  • Possible criminal referral to DOJ surfaces, with Republican senators arguing for parity in prosecutions and Democrats alleging GOP is aiming to “trip up” Fauci.
  • [03:01]

    “The question is if the Senate can hold Fauci in contempt and send a criminal referral to DOJ for prosecution. A contempt resolution could face a filibuster on the floor, but Rand Paul believes he can bypass that.”
    — Rand Paul (03:11)

7. Legal Judgment: Georgia School Shooting

• Father Sentenced for High School Mass Shooting Aftermath
  • Colin Gray, father of the Apalachee High School shooter, sentenced to 15 years for providing the firearm and neglecting his son’s mental health.
  • The shooter, Colt Gray, now 16, previously received a life sentence; both pleaded guilty.
  • [03:54]

    “A judge in Georgia sentences the father of the Apalachee High School mass shooting to 15 years in prison for giving his son the gun used to murder four people at his high school and failing to address the boy's mental health.”
    — Chris DiMaio

---

Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “President Trump says a historic agreement has been reached to fully disarm Hamas and other armed groups in Gaza.” — Chris DiMaio, [00:03]
• “The Go Big option...prepared by the CENTCOM commander...includes 10 to 14 days of intensive airstrikes intended to cripple Iran's missile capability.” — Jackie Heinrich, [00:28]
• “US Allies in the region are trying to prevent another war front after the Houthis declared a naval blockade on the Red Sea.” — Christina Coleman, [01:17]
• “Any veteran with heavy vehicle experience from the military, will now be eligible to skip redundant road tests to obtain a commercial driver's licenses.” — Rand Paul, [02:51]
• “The question is if the Senate can hold Fauci in contempt and send a criminal referral to DOJ for prosecution.” — Rand Paul, [03:11]
• “A judge in Georgia sentences the father of the Apalachee High School mass shooting to 15 years in prison...” — Chris DiMaio, [03:54]

---

Notable Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment/Topic | Speaker | |-----------|----------------------------------------------------|------------------------| | 00:03 | Trump announces Gaza disarmament deal | Chris DiMaio | | 00:28 | U.S. escalation options on Iran & “Go Big” strategy| Jackie Heinrich | | 01:06 | Sanctions on China, India, Iran | Chris DiMaio | | 01:17 | U.S. allies’ concerns, Red Sea blockade, China | Christina Coleman | | 01:47 | Japan Earthquake update | Chris DiMaio | | 02:32 | Freedom Haulers initiative and CDL changes | Chris DiMaio, Rand Paul| | 03:01 | Dr. Fauci contempt proceedings in Senate | Rand Paul, Chad Pergram| | 03:54 | Sentencing in Georgia school shooting case | Chris DiMaio |

---

Tone & Style

The episode carries the urgent, declarative style of a news bulletin, focused on concise delivery of breaking news, political developments, and high-stakes international affairs. Commentary inserts and direct quotes from lawmakers and officials are provided with minimal editorializing.

---

For Listeners...

This hourly update concisely captures critical overnight developments in foreign policy and U.S. politics. It’s a must-listen for those tracking U.S. actions in the Middle East, legislative drama in D.C., and policy changes affecting veterans and national security.

Transcript

[Chris DiMaio]

A breakthrough. I'm Chris DiMaio, Fox News. President Trump says a historic agreement has been reached to fully disarm Hamas and other armed groups in Gaza. In a post on Truth Social, the president called the deal a major step toward ending the war and advancing his administration's peace plan. He says the agreement would allow a new Palestinian government to work with the Board of Peace while giving Israel greater security. The Trump administration is considering its next steps in Iran.

[Jackie Heinrich]

The president is weighing what the Wall Street Journal reports is a significant escalation in the war, saying he's in an escalatory mood, but he has not yet figured out the depth of that response, indicating that the retaliatory strikes on Iranian command centers, missile facilities and defense sites might just be the beginning of this retaliation. The Go Big option, as it is being called, was reportedly prepared by the CENTCOM commander, Admiral Brad Cooper, who presented it to the president on Air Force One after the dignified transfer of those four soldiers recently killed overseas. This option includes 10 to 14 days of intensive airstrikes intended, intended to cripple Iran's missile capability.

[Chris DiMaio]

That's Fox's Jackie Heinrich the White House. The State Department announcing U.S. sanctions on entities and individuals in China, India and Iran who help enable the Iranian regime.

[Christina Coleman]

This as President Trump continues to weigh whether to carry out a major assault on Iran's weapons systems and other targets to stop the regime. Meantime, US Allies in the region are trying to prevent another war front after the Houthis declared a naval blockade on the Red Sea. Also, somewhere in encouraging the president to address China over the country's alleged plan to arm Iran with rocket launchers. However, China denies these accusations and claims they're pushing for an end to this conflict.

[Chris DiMaio]

That's Fox's Christina Coleman. 34 people are now confirmed dead from this week's powerful earthquake in southwestern Japan. Dozens of people were injured. America's listening to FOX News.

[Chevron Advertiser]

Who helps America go farther, fly higher, dream even bigger? People do. Since 1879, our people have been more than a source of energy. They've been a source of progress. Today, that same progress is helping deliver record US Energy production, fueling the workers, the makers, the boundary pushers and risk takers who spark the breakthroughs that move America forward. Learn more about what our people [e-mail] USA250

[Chris DiMaio]

President Trump announcing the Freedom Haulers initiative, expanding commercial driver's license eligibility for veterans and cracking down on licenses held by illegal immigrants and non English speakers. The president explains how the program would work.

[Chevron Advertiser]

Any veteran with a heavy vehicle experience from the military, will now be eligible

[Rand Paul]

to skip redundant road tests to obtain a commercial driver's licenses.

[Chevron Advertiser]

We're going to make it as easy

[Rand Paul]

as possible for the veterans now, the president Sundays.

[Chris DiMaio]

So far, 34 states have joined the initiative. The Senate may try to hold Dr. Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress for refusing to answer questions Wednesday during a hearing over Covid.

[Rand Paul]

The question is if the Senate can hold Fauci in contempt and send a criminal referral to DOJ for prosecution. A contempt resolution could face a filibuster on the floor, but Rand Paul believes he can bypass that. I've sent a criminal referral on Anthony Fauci twice under Biden and twice under Trump. Now I would be sending the committee's product. That's probably what happens. The DOJ must then decide to prosecute the Biden. DOJ prosecuted Trump figures Peter Navarro and Steve Bannon for not talking to the committee Committee investigating the Capitol riot. Republicans argue it's selective prosecution when it comes to Fauci. Democrats defended Fauci. They accused the GOP of trying to trip him up.

[Chris DiMaio]

That's fox's Chad Pergram on Capitol Hill. A judge in Georgia sentences the father of the Apalachee High School mass shooting to 15 years in prison for giving his son the gun used to murder four people at his high school and failing to address the boy's mental health. The judge sentenced Colin Gray just days after sending his 16 year old son Colt to prison for life. Colt Gray was 14 when he killed the four at his high school in September of 2024, the father and son pleading guilty to multiple charges. I'm Chris DiMeo. This is Fox News.

[Fox News Wine Shop Announcer]

Cheers to America's 250th birthday. Get 20% off your first purchase at foxnewswineshop.com with code FNRadio 2020 discount excludes wine club offers and cannot be combined with any other promotion. Expires July 31, 2026. Must be 21 to order. Please drink responsibly.