Fox News Hourly Update – 2AM ET 10/07/2025 Newscast

Host: Sue Guzman (with contributions from Sean Duffy, Kevin Corr, Will Kane, Jonathan Savage)
Date: October 7, 2025

Overview of the Episode

In this briskly paced newscast, FOX News delivers a roundup of the hour's top political and world events. The main focus lies on the ongoing government shutdown, the consequential impact on federal workers, bipartisan negotiations, controversial FBI surveillance allegations, political scandals in Virginia, and significant updates in international affairs—including the anniversary of the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel and deepening China–North Korea ties.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S. Government Shutdown Enters Critical Phase

• Senate Stalled: The U.S. Senate failed for the fifth time to pass a bill that would reopen the government. Air traffic controllers and other federal employees are working without pay, causing concern for their well-being and the nation's infrastructure.
  • Quote (Sue Guzman, 00:02): “Still shut down. I'm Sue Guzman. FOX News Senate voting for a fifth time Monday, again failing to pass a bill to reopen the government.”
• Increased Sick Calls: The prolonged shutdown has resulted in a spike in absences among air traffic controllers as they struggle financially.
  • Quote (Sean Duffy, 00:19): “Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has seen an uptick in people calling out sick. Lawmakers are gaming out how long the shutdown runs.”
• Senate Standoff: Louisiana GOP Senator John Kennedy's blunt prognosis on Senate gridlock:
  • Quote (Sue Guzman, 00:32): “It won't end until everybody in the Senate takes their ego out back and shoots, and then it'll end.”
• Bipartisan Signs: Democrats seek health care premium relief as part of negotiations. Some movement is detected as House Speaker Mike Johnson and Democratic leaders discuss Obamacare subsidies.
  • Quote (Sean Duffy, 00:40): “…if you squint, you can see signs of bipartisanship. House Speaker Mike Johnson is discussing Obamacare subsidies with prominent Democrats.”

2. Immigration & Law Enforcement Operations in Chicago

• ICE Raids: Ongoing federal operations in Chicago target suspect groups described as “TDA terrorists.” The White House claims recent actions saved lives.
  • Quote (Sue Guzman, 00:53): “The battle over ICE continues in Chicago…White House Deputy chief of staff for policy and Homeland Security adviser Stephen Miller says last week's apartment bust saved lives.”
  • Quote (Kevin Corr, 01:09): “The raid she's talking about…was a brilliantly executed raid against a trained Naragua complex filled with TDA terrorists. It was one of the most successful law enforcement operations that we've seen in this country.”

3. FBI Surveillance Allegations

• Accusations Fly: Reports suggest the FBI, under President Biden, spied on Senate Republicans—tracking calls of Senators including Tommy Tuberville, Marsha Blackburn, Lindsey Graham, and Ron Johnson.
  • Quote (Sue Guzman, 01:23): “Reports that the FBI under President Biden spied on Senate Republicans. The FBI reports special counsel Jack Smith tracked Republican senators phone calls, including some made by Senator Tommy Tuberville.”
• Reaction:
  • Quote (Will Kane, 01:37): “Obviously, I figured we would be somehow breached by China or North Korea, but not by your own government.”

4. Virginia Attorney General Race Scandal

• Controversy: Democratic nominee Jay Jones faces calls to exit the race after vulgar, violent texts about a Republican House Speaker are leaked.
  • Quote (Kevin Corr, 02:27): “It was his August 2022 text messages about then state House Speaker Republican Todd Gilbert, which included the phrase three people, two bullets. Gilbert, Hitler and Pol Pot. Gilbert gets two bullets to the head. Well, that of course, ignited a political firestorm.”
• Jones' Apology: Jones issues a public apology, acknowledging responsibility and reaching out directly to the aggrieved party and his family.
• Party Fallout: While gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger condemns the remarks, she stops short of demanding Jones drop his candidacy.

5. Anniversary of the October 7, 2023, Hamas Attack

• Somber Reflections: Two years since Hamas breached the Israeli border, killing 1,195 and committing mass atrocities. Hostages remain in Gaza.
  • Quote (Jonathan Savage, 03:19): “It was October 7, 2023, when 6,000 Gazans breached the border wall with Israel. 1,195 people were massacred. There were dozens of rapes and sexual assaul. Today, 20 living hostages and the bodies of 28 others are still held by Hamas militants in Gaza.”
• Gaza Conflict: Ongoing indirect talks in Egypt aim to end the war and release those detained, with the Palestinian population continuing to endure severe hardship and casualties.

6. High-Level China–North Korea Engagement

• Diplomatic Development: China's Premier Li Xiang travels to North Korea, marking the most significant Chinese visit since 2019, signaling increased engagement between the neighboring states.
  • Quote (Sue Guzman, 03:58): “The man considered China's number two leader, Premier Li Xiang, travel to North Korea this week for what's being described as the highest level visit by a Chinese leader since 2019.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Senate Gridlock Humor (Sen. John Kennedy via Sue Guzman, 00:32):
  "It won't end until everybody in the Senate takes their ego out back and shoots, and then it'll end."
• Senator Tuberville’s Shock (Will Kane, 01:37):
  “I figured we would be somehow breached by China or North Korea, but not by your own government."
• Jay Jones’ Apology (Kevin Corr, 02:27):
  “I cannot take back what I said. I, I can only take full accountability and offer my sincere apology.”
• Gaza War Tragedy (Jonathan Savage, 03:19):
  “For Palestinians, it's been two years of displacement and hunger. Tens of thousands reported dead from Israel's military strikes aimed at destroying Hamas.”

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|-----------------------------------------------------| | 00:02 | Government shutdown update | | 00:19 | Federal worker absences during shutdown | | 00:32 | Senate “ego” gridlock remarks (Sen. Kennedy) | | 00:40 | Bipartisanship on health care premiums | | 00:53 | Chicago ICE raid and White House comments | | 01:09 | Details on the Naragua terrorist raid | | 01:23 | FBI surveillance allegations | | 01:37 | Senator Tuberville’s reaction | | 01:45 | Additional senators reportedly surveilled | | 02:16 | Jay Jones (VA AG) scandal backstory and apology | | 03:02 | Party responses and continued candidacy | | 03:19 | Gaza war anniversary and hostage update | | 03:58 | China–North Korea diplomatic visit |

Tone & Style

This episode maintains a brisk, urgent, and often blunt tone, reflecting both the political friction in Washington and the gravity of international developments. Speaker quotes are terse, sometimes vivid, and the coverage retains FOX News’s signature straight-talking delivery.