Fox News Hourly Update: 2PM ET 04/03/2026 – Episode Summary

Episode Theme

A fast-paced update covers major breaking national and international news, key White House and Congressional developments, oversight in immigration enforcement, and highlights from the world of college basketball.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. F-15E Downed in Iran – Search and Rescue Underway

• [00:03] Lisa Brady reports the urgent search effort for a second US pilot after an F-15E fighter jet crashed in Iran:

  • "A source telling Fox that one pilot has been rescued after an F15E fighter jet went down in Iran. But the search continues for a second pilot."
  • No confirmation yet from the Pentagon, despite Iranian media reports about the jet being shot down and pilots ejecting.
  • President Trump has been updated on the situation.

• [00:26] Peter Doocy (from the White House):

  • Explains the official delay of information from the Department of War and CENTCOM:
    • “There is an intentional delay...because they want to make sure that all the pilots and all of the combat search and rescue teams...are all as safe as can be before they tell us what exactly is going on.”
  • Israel has paused strikes in the region as the rescue mission continues.

2. President Trump’s Budget Priorities – Record Defense Spending & Domestic Cuts

• [00:46] President Trump pushes for higher military spending and cuts to domestic programs.

• [00:57] Jared Halpern (from the White House):

  • “The annual budget request from the administration calls for one and a half trillion dollars for the Pentagon, the top line defense spending number ever and a 44% increase from last year's defense budget.”
  • The increase would:
    • Fund troop pay raises
    • Resupply munitions
    • Invest in a Golden Dome missile defense shield
  • Non-defense spending faces a $73 billion cut (10%), targeting what the administration calls “woke weaponized and wasteful programs.”

• [01:29] Jared Halpern reminds: Congress will draft and pass actual spending bills.

3. Economic Update – Strong Jobs Report

• [01:29] March jobs report:

  • 178,000 jobs created, surpassing expectations.
  • White House credits the Trump agenda for economic strength.

• [01:42] Kevin Hassett, National Economic Council Director:

  • Highlights administration’s policy points:
    • “The no tax on tips, no tax on overtimes, making the old Trump tax cuts permanent, deregulation.”
  • Predicts any consequences from the Iran conflict will be “short term.”

4. ICE Facility Violations – Camp East Montana Under Scrutiny

• [02:08] Eben Brown details an ICE internal inspection at Camp East Montana (El Paso, TX):
  • 49 safety violations found, involving:
    • Food safety and quality
    • Use of force and restraints on detainees
    • Overall facility security
  • Inspection part of congressionally mandated ICE oversight; conducted in February.
  • 14 detainee deaths in ICE custody this year; 2 at this facility.

5. CFPB Restructuring – Partial Rollback for Agency

• [02:44] Trump administration revises efforts to dismantle the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau:
  • Keeps 500+ out of the original 1700 workers (previous plan was to reduce to 200).
  • The new proposal remains controversial, faces union opposition, and may need judicial approval.

6. College Basketball Honors & Tournament Update

• [03:09] Jared Max reports:
  • Duke’s Cameron Boozer, a freshman, named AP Men’s Basketball Player of the Year; previously won by Cooper Flagg (another Duke freshman).
  • Notable stats and family connection:
    • “Boozer, whose father, Carlos, played 13 in the NBA and whose fraternal twin brother, Caden, was a Blue Devils teammate, led Duke in scoring, rebounding and assists second year in a row.”
  • Boozer received 59 out of 61 votes from AP Top 25 voters.
• Duke was eliminated by UConn in March Madness.
  • Men’s Final Four: games tomorrow
  • Women’s Final Four tonight: Texas vs. UCLA and South Carolina vs. UConn.
• [03:35] Previous day, UConn’s Sarah Strong named AP Women's Player of the Year.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Peter Doocy on DOD/CENTCOM information delay [00:26]:
  • “They want to make sure that all the pilots and all of the combat search and rescue teams...are all as safe as can be before they tell us what exactly is going on.”
• Jared Halpern on defense budget [00:57]:
  • “A 44% increase from last year's defense budget.”
• Kevin Hassett on economic policies [01:42]:
  • “The no tax on tips, no tax on overtimes, making the Trump old Trump tax cuts permanent deregulation.”
• Eben Brown on ICE facility violations [02:08]:
  • “49 safety violations...concerned food safety and quality, the use of force and restraints on detainees and the facility's overall security.”
• Jared Max on Cameron Boozer [03:09]:
  • “Led Duke in scoring, rebounding and assists second year in a row. A freshman from Duke won the AP award.”

Timestamps of Key Segments

• 00:03 – US F-15E fighter jet down in Iran, pilot search and rescue
• 00:26 – White House/Doocy on official info delay, Israel pauses strikes
• 00:57 – Jared Halpern on Trump’s defense budget and domestic cuts
• 01:29 – March jobs report and Congressional budget process
• 01:42 – Kevin Hassett on tax/deregulation policies and Iran conflict impact
• 02:08 – Eben Brown on ICE Camp East Montana inspection findings
• 02:44 – CFPB partial rollback, remaining resistance
• 03:09 – Jared Max on Duke basketball awards, Final Four preview

This update delivers concise coverage of evolving security crises, White House priorities, economic news, government accountability, and March Madness highlights, maintaining FOX's urgent news voice and factual tone throughout.