Fox News Hourly Update: 2AM ET 09/09/2025 Newscast

Host: Ted Lindner, FOX News Podcasts
Date: September 9, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode provides fast-paced coverage of breaking national and international news stories, focusing largely on immigration enforcement developments in Los Angeles and Chicago, Senate political maneuvers in Washington, a tragic crime in North Carolina, and a deadly accident in Mexico. The tone is urgent, emphasizing recent legal and policy shifts, community reactions, and the interplay between local and federal authorities.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Supreme Court Clears Federal Immigration Operations in Los Angeles

(00:02 – 01:06)

• Main Story:
  The Supreme Court has lifted a restraining order against federal immigration enforcement actions in Los Angeles, permitting agents to continue broad operations.

• Local Reaction:
  Los Angeles city leaders, led by Mayor Karen Bass, express outrage and vow resistance, specifically repudiating the use of race or language as criteria for immigrant targeting.

  • Quote (Karen Bass, 00:21):
    “We will not allow the Supreme Court or anyone to divide us.”
  • Quote (reporter paraphrase, 00:23):
    “Outrage and a promise to fight back.”

• Federal Position:
  The Department of Homeland Security frames the Court’s decision as validating their efforts, asserting they’ll focus on removal of “criminal illegal aliens,” and suggesting city officials are protecting such individuals.

  • Paraphrased from DHS statement (00:53):
    DHS will continue to arrest and remove criminal illegal aliens that the mayor of LA is protecting.

• Notable Dissent:
  Justice Sonia Sotomayor, dissenting, claims the raids led to people “thrown to the ground and handcuffed because of their looks and accents.”

  • Quote (Sonia Sotomayor, as summarized, 01:06):
    “People were thrown to the ground and handcuffed because of their looks and accents.”

2. Escalation of Federal Immigration Efforts & Political Fallout in Chicago

(01:06 – 01:52)

• Federal Action:
  ICE presence is increased in Chicago as the Trump administration makes immigrant removal a campaign priority.
• Political Tensions:
  • Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker suggests these federal moves lay groundwork for election interference.
  • Chicago Alderman Raymond Lopez welcomes federal action, citing public safety concerns.
    • Quote (Raymond Lopez, 01:38):
      “2000 individuals were identified as threats not only to our city but to our nation under the Biden Harris administration. So now that the Trump administration is in control, why shouldn't we work with them to remove these threats to our nation from our cities?”
• Dispute Over Crime Stats:
  Pritzker, representing the state’s Democratic leadership, claims crime is down, in contrast to Lopez’s assertions.

3. Senate Republican Push to Change Nominee Confirmation Rules

(02:32 – 03:16)

• Issue:
  Senate Democrats accused of stalling President Trump’s nominees.

• GOP Response:
  Senate Majority Leader John Thune intends to expedite confirmation for lower-tier and non-controversial federal appointees, criticizing Democrats’ tactics:

  • Quote (Senator Thune, 02:56):
    “This is simply the world's longest most drawn out temper tantrum over losing an election.”

• Implications:
  The proposed rule change would accelerate approximately 40 non-cabinet nominations, not affecting judges or cabinet secretaries.

• Democratic Warning:
  Minority Leader Chuck Schumer warns this move may backfire on Republicans when political power shifts.

4. Crime & Mental Health: Ukrainian Refugee Murder in Charlotte

(03:16 – 04:07)

• Incident:
  The killing of Ukrainian refugee Irina Zarutska allegedly by a repeat offender with a documented history of mental illness sparks debate about public safety and systemic failures.

• Congressional Perspective:
  Rep. Mark Harris (R-NC) notes inadequate light rail security and calls for an expanded discussion on dealing with mentally ill and criminally-inclined individuals.

  • Quote (Mark Harris, 03:56):
    “There were folks that were calling in this morning that I heard that had taken their five year old child on his birthday on a Friday at 11 o'clock in the morning and they had to get off because of a fight.”

• Call to Action:
  Jessica Rosenthal (reporter) highlights the need for broader societal debate on protecting vulnerable populations from repeat offenders.

5. International News: Bus-Train Collision in Mexico

(04:16 – 04:29)

• Event:
  Ten deaths are reported after a freight train strikes a double-decker bus near Mexico City. The bus was reportedly crossing train tracks when the fast-moving train hit it.

Notable Quotes

• Karen Bass, LA Mayor (00:21):
  "We will not allow the Supreme Court or anyone to divide us."
• Raymond Lopez, Chicago Alderman (01:38):
  "2000 individuals were identified as threats not only to our city but to our nation under the Biden Harris administration. So now that the Trump administration is in control, why shouldn't we work with them to remove these threats to our nation from our cities?"
• Sen. John Thune (02:56):
  "This is simply the world's longest most drawn out temper tantrum over losing an election."
• Rep. Mark Harris (03:56):
  "There were folks that were calling in this morning that I heard that had taken their five year old child on his birthday on a Friday at 11 o'clock in the morning and they had to get off because of a fight."

Important Timestamps

• Supreme Court Lifts LA Immigration Order: 00:02 – 01:06
• Immigration Raids Expand to Chicago, Political Response: 01:06 – 01:52
• Senate Nominee Fight: 02:32 – 03:16
• Charlotte Refugee Murder & Mental Health Debate: 03:16 – 04:07
• Mexico City Train-Bus Accident: 04:16 – 04:29

Tone & Style

This episode maintains FOX News’s characteristic urgency and directness, with sharp distinctions drawn between local/federal officials, political parties, and policy priorities. The tone is combative, especially around immigration and Senate maneuvering, and empathetic in coverage of crime victims.

For listeners seeking a succinct, fact-driven rundown of urgent political, legal, and safety stories—this episode unpacks both the headlines and the heated debates shaping the American news cycle.