Fox News Hourly Update: 2AM ET Newscast – October 16, 2025

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This episode delivers a fast-paced roundup of top political, national, and international news as of October 16, 2025. Stories cover U.S. covert operations in Venezuela, the ongoing government shutdown showdown, crime-fighting proposals from President Trump, developments in Israel and Gaza around hostages and aid, and a quirky lawsuit over peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S. Covert Operations and Drug War in Venezuela

• President Trump has confirmed authorizing covert CIA operations inside Venezuela as part of a renewed crackdown on drugs entering the U.S.

• Venezuela's government claims U.S. action constitutes a violation of international law, accusing America of seeking regime change.

• Concerns are voiced on Capitol Hill regarding the president’s legal authority for using lethal force on suspected drug boats.

  Notable Quotes:

  • “President Trump confirmed Wednesday he authorized covert CIA operations inside Venezuela...because the government of Venezuela and its leader Nicolas Maduro had released prisoners into the US and drugs were coming into the US from Venezuela.”
    — Jill Naito (00:17)
  • “Lawmakers on Capitol Hill say the president may not have the legal authority to use lethal force on suspected drug carrying boats.”
    — Jill Naito (00:51)

2. Government Shutdown Stalemate in Congress

• The Senate has failed nine times to advance a House-passed funding measure. The government remains shuttered for 16 days as Democrats and Republicans remain gridlocked, mainly over Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits and government funding.

• Democratic leaders blame Republicans for not addressing health care needs; Republicans say negotiation will resume after reopening.

• Federal workers face shrinking paychecks, and the administration's attempt to lay off workers is blocked by a federal judge.

  Notable Quotes:

  • “Republicans are unwilling to spend a dime to provide affordable health care to working class Americans. That's unacceptable. The American people deserve better.”
    — Hakeem Jeffries (01:10)
  • “More and more Americans…getting smaller and smaller paychecks, people who work for the federal government.”
    — Sue Guzman (01:34)
  • “A federal judge is blocking the Trump administration from laying off federal workers during the government shutdown. Layoffs have been part of President Trump's strategy to exert pressure on Democrats to reopen the government.”
    — Sue Guzman (01:45)

3. Crime Crackdown: Potential National Guard Deployment to San Francisco

• President Trump is considering sending the National Guard to San Francisco as a federal crime-fighting measure.

• The FBI, under director Cash Patel, claims significant results since Trump’s return to office: over 23,000 violent criminal arrests, 170 criminal organizations destroyed/disrupted, 6,000 illegal firearms confiscated, and enough fentanyl seized to kill “55 million people.”

  Notable Quotes:

  • “Federal law enforcement will set its sights on the city by the bay…”
    — Hakeem Jeffries (03:18)
  • “Since his return to power, the bureau has destroyed or disrupted more than 170 organized criminal enterprises, confiscated more than 6,000 illegal firearms and seized enough fentanyl to kill 55 million people.”
    — Kristen Goodwin (03:38)

4. Israel, Gaza, and the Hostage Crisis

• Hamas returned two more bodies to Israel, claiming they are all the hostages it could find. Israel vows to reduce humanitarian aid to Gaza unless more are released.

• Top U.S. military officials are on the ground. The U.S. urges Hamas to suspend violence and disarm, but Hamas says it won’t disarm without a clear path to Palestinian statehood.

• Arab nations remain reluctant to provide security in Gaza; Canada, Pakistan, and several Asian countries may consider, pending a UN mandate.

  Notable Quotes:

  • “I almost hate to talk about it…but they're digging.”
    — Jennifer Griffin (04:03)
  • “The Israelis threaten to cut in half the number of humanitarian aid trucks…unless Hamas accelerates the release of dead hostages.”
    — Jennifer Griffin (04:06)
  • “None of the Arab countries has agreed to send security forces into Gaza. Canada, Pakistan and several Asian countries are considering, but they will need a mandate from the UN Security Council.”
    — Jennifer Griffin (04:28)
  • “Hamas says it's not going to disarm unless it sees an effort to make a pathway to Palestinian statehood.”
    — Sue Guzman (04:49)

5. Smucker's vs. Trader Joe’s Lawsuit

• In lighter news, J.M. Smucker is suing Trader Joe’s for allegedly copying its “Uncrustables” design in newly launched frozen peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

  Notable Quotes:

  • “J.M. Smucker is suing Trader Joe’s, claiming its new frozen peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are too similar to Smucker's uncrustables in both their design and packaging.”
    — Sue Guzman (04:56)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:13: Venezuela covert CIA operations and legal controversy
• 01:02: Congressional standoff over government shutdown
• 01:45: Judge blocks federal worker layoffs during shutdown
• 03:12: National Guard possibly heading to San Francisco
• 03:47: Hostage developments and humanitarian situation in Gaza
• 04:46: Lawsuit: Smucker’s Uncrustables vs. Trader Joe’s

Memorable Moments

• Jennifer Griffin’s emotional reporting on the grim process of recovering hostages in the Israel-Gaza crisis
  “I almost hate to talk about it…” (04:03)
• Statistics on fentanyl seized enough to “kill 55 million people” (03:38)
• A rare intersection of food and law with the Uncrustables lawsuit (04:56)

Summary prepared for those seeking a concise yet thorough update on early-morning U.S. and world current events from the Fox News perspective.