Fox News Hourly Update – 2AM ET 10/23/2025 Newscast

Host: Sue Guzman, Fox News
Date: October 23, 2025
Episode Overview:
This episode delivers the key national and international headlines, centering on the ongoing US government shutdown, fresh sanctions on Russia, US military actions against drug trafficking in the Pacific, heated New York City mayoral debates, and notable political announcements. The tone is urgent and no-nonsense, reflecting the gravity of ongoing political and policy battles.

Main Themes

• Continued government shutdown and its wide-reaching impact on Americans
• Escalating US-Russia tensions with new sanctions
• US military strikes against suspected drug traffickers amid legal controversy
• Final debates ahead of New York City's mayoral election
• Political moves on the national stage

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Government Shutdown: Stalemate & Dire Warnings

• Shutdown persists for 23rd day: The Senate’s 12th attempt to vote on reopening fails, intensifying partisan conflict, with grievances aired by both parties ([00:02]).
• Layoffs and Legal Battles:
  • Democrats, represented by Hakeem Jeffries, condemn the Trump administration for mass federal employee layoffs:

    “Donald Trump and his out of control administration have already illegally fired more than 200,000 federal employees prior to the beginning of the government shutdown.” – Hakeem Jeffries ([00:18])

  • Court challenges largely unsuccessful for Democrats.
• Threat to SNAP Benefits:
  • Steve Scalise, House Majority Leader, warns of severe consequences:

    “Food stamps will run out of money after October if they can't get this clean funding bill passed.” ([00:33])
    “Over 40 million low income Americans…are going to be denied food starting in November according to USDA…” – Steve Scalise ([00:44])

• Notable Filibuster:
  • Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley ends 22-hour, 37-minute floor speech; falls short of Cory Booker’s earlier 25-hour record ([01:01]).

2. US-Russia Relations & Sanctions

• Treasury Action:
  • US Treasury issues major new sanctions against Russia’s top oil companies following failed diplomatic progress ([01:01]).
  • Treasury Secretary Scott Bessen:

    “This will be one of the largest sanctions that we have done against the Russian Federation.”
    “President Putin has not come to the table in an honest and forthright manner as we'd hope.” – Scott Bessen ([01:01])

  • Potential for further escalation if diplomatic breakthroughs are not achieved.

3. Military Strikes against Drug Trafficking

• Pentagon/Kinetic Action:
  • Secretary Pete Hegseth announces a ninth lethal strike on drug vessels in the eastern Pacific ([03:12]).
  • Casualties reported at 37 so far in the operations ([03:21]).
  • White House stance: President Trump cites national security concerns as justification:

    “We know the people coming in, we know the boats, we know everything else. We're allowed to do it. It's in international waters.” ([03:49])

  • Critics argue legality: Opponents claim these strikes violate international law ([03:53]).

4. New York City Mayoral Debate – Crime and Endorsements

• Candidate Approaches to Crime ([04:05]):
  • Andrew Cuomo (Independent/former Governor):

    “Hire the 5,000 more cops.” ([04:08])

  • Curtis Sliwa (GOP Nominee):

    “We need to start charging juveniles who commit violent crime in criminal court.” ([04:18])

  • Zoran Mamdani (Democrat):

    “…creating a Department of Community Safety… focused on the mental health crisis, focused on homelessness and will ensure that police officers can focus on serious crimes.” ([04:27])

• On Mayoral Endorsement:
  • Candidates reveal if they would accept current mayor Eric Adams’ support ([04:40]):
    • Mamdani: “No.” ([04:41])
    • Cuomo: “Yes, I would.” ([04:43])
    • Sliwa: “Absolutely not. Put that crook in jail where he belongs.” ([04:43])
• Early voting announcement: Starts Saturday in NYC.

5. Political Campaign Announcement

• John Sununu’s Senate Run ([04:50]):
  • Former GOP Senator aims to reclaim seat from Jean Shaheen (needs primary win first).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Jeffries (Democrat) lambasts layoffs:

  “Donald Trump and his out of control administration have already illegally fired more than 200,000 federal employees…” – Hakeem Jeffries ([00:18])

• Scalise (Republican) on SNAP crisis:

  "Over 40 million low income Americans... are going to be denied food starting in November according to USDA..." – Steve Scalise ([00:44])

• Treasury Secretary on Russia sanctions:

  "This will be one of the largest sanctions that we have done against the Russian Federation." – Scott Bessen ([01:01])

• President Trump on strikes:

  “We know the people coming in, we know the boats, we know everything else. We're allowed to do it. It's in international waters.” ([03:49])

• Sliwa (NYC mayoral candidate) on endorsement:

  “Absolutely not. Put that crook in jail where he belongs.” ([04:43])

Important Timestamps

• 00:02: Shutdown update and partisan grievances
• 00:18: Jeffries on Trump layoffs
• 00:33: Scalise on SNAP crisis and political stakes
• 01:01: Senatorial filibuster and sanctions on Russia
• 03:12: US military strikes against drug vessels
• 03:53: Legal controversy over military strikes
• 04:05: NYC mayoral debate crime policies
• 04:40: Candidates on Eric Adams’ endorsement
• 04:50: John Sununu’s Senate campaign

Tone and Language

• Direct, urgent, and reflective of high political tension.
• Features both formal updates and sharp rhetorical attacks.
• Speakers are blunt and passionate, especially on partisan flashpoints.

This summary captures the episode’s critical updates and fiery exchanges, providing listeners with essential context and direct quotes to understand the unfolding political, security, and civic events discussed on this Fox News newscast.