2AM ET 08/26/2025 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update: 2AM ET 08/26/2025 – Episode Summary

Date: August 26, 2025
Host: Carmen Roberts
Notable Contributors: Kristen Goodwin, Christy Noem, Jeff Paul, Ryan Schmelz, John Saucier
Podcast: Fox News Hourly Update

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Episode Overview

This newscast delivers breaking news on U.S. political and legal developments, immigration clashes, an extraordinary criminal indictment, international crisis coverage, and Congressional campaign updates. The tone is urgent, matter-of-fact, and focused on the latest headline news.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Legal Battle over Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook

[00:02–00:57]

• President Trump has removed Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook over allegations of mortgage fraud.
• Legal controversy: Presidents cannot fire Fed governors at will; only cause and official charges justify removal, but as of the report, Cook only faces allegations, not formal charges.
• Kristen Goodwin reports: Trump’s action was based on a criminal referral from Bill Pulte (Federal Housing Finance Agency) that claims Cook falsified documents in 2021 by declaring two different properties as her primary residence to obtain mortgages.
• President Trump’s letter (shared on Truth Social) cites “deceitful and potentially criminal conduct in a financial matter” and a lack of “confidence in your integrity.” Cook was appointed by President Biden for a term expiring in 2038.
• Cook’s response: She refuses to leave her post, indicating a likely legal confrontation.

Notable Quote:

”A president cannot fire a federal governor without cause. And in this case, there are no charges, only allegations.”
— Carmen Roberts [00:07]

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2. Immigration and Deportation: The Case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia

[00:57–01:27]

• A federal judge blocks the deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an undocumented immigrant, at least temporarily.
• Garcia was detained by ICE during a court check-in in Maryland; the Trump administration is pushing for his deportation to Uganda.
• Homeland Security Secretary Christy Noem criticizes Democrats for defending Garcia:

  “These Democrats and liberals stand beside him. They sing for him. They chant for him to be released so that he can perpetuate more crimes on our communities.” [01:17]

• Garcia had previously been wrongly deported to El Salvador. He is now indicted for human smuggling but denies the charges.

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3. Disturbing Discovery: Human Cremains Found Near Las Vegas

[01:27–01:59]

• Authorities are investigating the discovery of around 70 piles of human cremated remains (cremains) on a dirt road south of Searchlight, NV.
• The discovery was made by a passerby and is under federal investigation.

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4. Gaza Hospital Airstrike

[03:09–03:33]

• Airstrike on Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza killed at least 20 people, including five journalists.
  • Sequence: First strike hit the top of the hospital; a second strike occurred as rescue teams and journalists arrived.
  • Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu called it a “tragic mishap,” with promises of a full investigation.

Notable Quote:

”There was that first strike that looked like it hit the top or near the top of Nasser hospital in southern Gaza. But then as crews, rescue teams and journalists started to go assess the damage, there was a second strike.”
— Jeff Paul [03:15]

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5. Texas Redistricting and Congressional Race

[03:33–04:19]

• Greg Casar, Progressive Caucus Chair, announces campaign for the new Texas 37th District after redistricting.
• Casar has represented the 35th District since 2023; new map prompts this bid.
• Rep. Lloyd Doggett (age 78) retires, sparing Democrats a potential primary clash.
• Doggett was notable as the first House Democrat to call for Biden to drop out of the 2024 race.
• Quote from Casar:

  ”You didn’t elect me to go learn the same broken playbook Democrats have used for decades. You sent me to write a new.” [03:46]

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6. Tennessee Man Named “George Herman Ruth” Indicted in Massive Fraud

[04:19–05:00]

• George Herman Ruth, age 79, is indicted on 91 counts for allegedly using the names of hundreds of deceased or retired pro baseball players to file fake claims and class-action settlements.
• Charges include: mail fraud, ID theft, fraudulent use of Social Security numbers, money laundering, false statements to a probation officer, and illegal firearm possession.
• The accused attempted to obtain over $500,000; in contrast, the “original” Babe Ruth earned a total of $850,000 in his entire career.

Memorable Moment:

”A Tennessee man has the same name as baseball legend Babe Ruth, but far from the same rep.”
— Carmen Roberts [04:19]

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• President Trump attempts to fire Fed Governor Lisa Cook: 00:02–00:57
• Deportation battle over Kilmar Abrego Garcia: 00:57–01:27
• Discovery of human cremains near Las Vegas: 01:27–01:59
• Gaza hospital airstrike: 03:09–03:33
• Texas redistricting and Greg Casar’s campaign: 03:33–04:19
• George Herman Ruth indicted in fraud case: 04:19–05:00

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Conclusion

This update rapidly scans top U.S. and world stories, spotlighting breaking developments in national governance, immigration, global conflict, and criminal justice. The tone is brisk, direct, and information-packed, ideal for listeners needing a succinct and thorough rundown of overnight events.

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Transcript

[Carmen Roberts]

Sparking a legal battle. I'm Carmen Roberts, Fox News. President Trump fires Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook over allegations of mortgage fraud. But a president cannot fire a federal governor without cause. And in this case, there are no charges, only allegations.

[Kristen Goodwin]

In a letter shared to Truth Social, President Trump says he's removing Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook from her position effective immediately. He cites a criminal referral from Bill Pulte, the director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, who has claimed Cook falsified bank documents and property records alleging she claimed two different properties were her primary residences when obtaining mortgages in 2021. In the letter addressed to Cook, the president explains, in light of your deceitful and potentially criminal conduct in a financial matter, I do not have such confidence in your integrity. Cook was appointed by former President Biden and has been serving a term that ends in in 2038. Kristen Goodwin, Fox News.

[Carmen Roberts]

Cook responded in a statement that she is not leaving her post. A judge rules immigration authorities cannot deport Kilmar Abrego Garcia, at least for now. ICE agents took the illegal immigrant into custody during a court check in Monday in Maryland, while the Trump administration is preparing to deport him to Uganda Homeland Security Secretary Christy Noem.

[Christy Noem]

These Democrats and liberals stand beside him. They sing for him. They chant for him to be released so that he can perpetuate more crimes on our communities.

[Carmen Roberts]

A grand jury indicted Abrego Garcia on charges of human smuggling after he was wrongly deported to El Salvador. He denies the charges. Federal agents are investigating the discovery of dozens of piles of human cremated remains, or cremains, south of Las Vegas. KLAS reports that a person stumbled on what is described as about 70 piles of ashes on a dirt road south and outside the town of Searchlight. America's listening to FOX News.

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[Carmen Roberts]

Airstrike on a hospital in Gaza Monday killed at least 20 people, including five journalists.

[Jeff Paul]

Witnesses say there was that first strike that looked like it hit the top or near the top of Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza. But then as crews, rescue teams and journalists started to go assess the damage, there was a second strike. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the incident a tragic mishap and that military authorities will conduct a thorough investigation.

[Carmen Roberts]

Fox's Jeff Paul in Tel Aviv, Texas. Redistricting shakes up a race for Congress.

[Ryan Schmelz]

Congressional Progressive Caucus Chair Greg Cassar launching his campaign for the newly redrawn Texas 37th congressional district.

[Greg Cassar]

But you didn't elect me to go learn the same broken playbook Democrats have used for decades. You sent me to write A new.

[Ryan Schmelz]

The 36 year old Cassar has represented the 35th district since 2023, but Republicans passed a new congressional map earlier this month. 78 year old Lloyd Doggett's decision not to run spares Democrats of a bitter primary that could have pitted wings of the party against one another. Doggett was the first sitting House Democrat to call for President Biden to drop out of the 2024 race. In Washington, Ryan Schmelz, FOX News.

[Carmen Roberts]

A Tennessee man has the same name as baseball legend Babe Ruth, but far from the same Rep. 79 year old.

[John Saucier]

George Herman Ruth is facing 91 counts, charged with using the names of hundreds of dead or retired pro baseball players to make fake claims for payouts and class action settlements. The charges include mail fraud, aggravated identity theft, fraudulent use of Social Security numbers, money laundering, making false statements to a probation officer and possessing firearms after having previously been convicted of felonies. The indictment says Ruth obtained or attempted to obtain more than half a million dollars with the scheme. Baseball player Babe Ruth earned just over $850,000 during his playing career. By the way, John Saucier, FOX news.

[Carmen Roberts]

And I'm Carmen Roberts, and this is FOX news.

[Trey Gowdy]

Hey, I'm Trey Gowdy, host of the Trey Gowdy Podcast. I hope you will join me every Tuesday and Thursday as we navigate life together and hopefully find ourselves a little bit better on the other side.

[John Saucier]

Listen and follow [e-mail].