2PM ET 06/25/2026 Newscast

Summary

Fox News Hourly Update — 2PM ET 06/25/2026
Host: FOX News Podcasts
Date: June 25, 2026

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Episode Overview

This episode of the Fox News Hourly Update provides a fast-paced rundown of the day’s top national and international stories. Key topics include legal developments involving President Trump, disaster recovery in Venezuela, changes in U.S. immigration policy, economic trends, and updates from ongoing Mars exploration.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Legal Developments: Mixed Day for President Trump

Trump Executive Order on Mail-In Voting Stopped

• A federal judge in Boston blocks President Trump's executive order intended to tighten mail-in voting rules ahead of the November congressional elections.
  • The judge states Trump "likely exceeded his authority by directing changes on how states administer federal elections."
  • The order sought to create a federal voter list and use the Postal Service to determine mail ballot eligibility—provisions ruled unconstitutional.
  • Democratic-led states argued this would disrupt election preparations and potentially disenfranchise eligible voters.
  • (00:03–00:33)

Supreme Court Rulings on Immigration

• Two rulings favor Trump administration:
  • Legal protections for Haitian and Syrian refugees can end.
  • Limits on daily asylum cases at the southern border are allowed.
• No ruling yet on the president’s order to limit birthright citizenship.
• “But at the U.S. Supreme Court, two rulings in favor of the Trump administration on immigration...” (Lisa Brady, 00:33)
• (00:33–00:44)

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2. Venezuela Earthquake Disaster

Major Earthquakes Wreak Havoc

• Back-to-back 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes strike Venezuela.
• At least 188 deaths confirmed; more than 200 people reportedly trapped.
• Strikes during a national holiday; most victims at home.
• U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announces American search teams will be sent to assist.
• “The President of the country's national assembly also just confirming more than 200 people trapped.” (Dana Marie McNicoll, 00:44–01:20)

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3. Obituary: David Clayton-Thomas

Passing of a Music Legend

• David Clayton-Thomas, leader of Blood, Sweat & Tears and two-time Grammy winner, has died at 84.
• Remembered for beating out The Beatles’ "Abbey Road" for Best Album of 1969 and inspiring a wave of horn-led bands.
• “A spokesperson says he died peacefully yesterday. He was 84.” (Lisa Brady, 01:31)

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4. Homeland Security & Border Policy

DHS Secretary Testifies to Congress

• Secretary Mark Wayne Mullen addresses the House Appropriations Subcommittee, defending the agency’s operations and budget.
• Discusses threats from cartel activity, human trafficking, and drug trafficking at the southern border.
• “My number one job is to protect the homeland and I'm telling you ranking member I, I love my job.” (Mark Wayne Mullen, 02:19)
• The Secure America Act, signed by the president, allocates $70B to Immigration Enforcement and Border Patrol through 2029.
• Strong opposition from Congressional Democrats, who call for sweeping reforms.
• (02:16–03:01)

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5. Economic Update

Inflation & Growth

• Inflation at a three-year high (4.1% year-over-year), as per the Federal Reserve’s preferred measure.
• Despite high inflation, the economy grew 2.1% in the first quarter.
• The Dow is up 65 points at the time of reporting.
• (03:01–03:13)

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6. Science: Life on Mars Debate

New Perseverance Rover Findings

• NASA’s Perseverance rover detects complex carbon molecules in Martian rocks, reminiscent of ancient microbial life on Earth.
• Carbon found could be biological or geological in origin—no confirmation of life, but significant intrigue.
• Focus on mudstone rocks from the "Bright Angel" outcrop, previously noted for features similar to fossilized microbes.
• Detection was performed by shining an ultraviolet laser at rocks and measuring returned light spectra.
• “The form of carbon detected, known as mmc, can originate from living organisms. Geological processes can also produce the material...” (CJ Papa, 03:24–04:00)
• (03:13–04:00)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “A federal judge in Boston has blocked President Trump's executive order aimed at tightening mail-in voting rules before November’s congressional elections.”
  — Eben Brown (00:10)
• “My number one job is to protect the homeland and I’m telling you ranking member I, I love my job.”
  — Mark Wayne Mullen (02:19)
• “The form of carbon detected… can originate from living organisms. Geological processes can also produce the material, meaning its detection does not amount to proof of past Martian life.”
  — CJ Papa (03:24–03:42)

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Important Timestamps

• 00:03 — Trump mail-in voting order struck down
• 00:33 — Supreme Court immigration rulings
• 00:44 — Venezuela earthquake death toll update
• 01:31 — Death of David Clayton-Thomas
• 02:19 — DHS Secretary on border security
• 03:01 — Economic update (inflation & growth)
• 03:24 — Mars rover science update

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This episode delivers a brisk and comprehensive sweep of the latest developments in U.S. politics, international disasters, music history, border security, economic indicators, and space exploration, true to Fox News’s concise and direct reporting style.

Transcript

[Lisa Brady]

A mixed day in court for the president. Elisa Brady, Fox News in one ruling, a Trump executive order on mail in voting is stopped.

[Eben Brown]

A federal judge in Boston has blocked President Trump's executive order aimed at tightening mail in voting rules before November's congressional elections. The ruling says the president likely exceeded his authority by directing changes on how states administer federal elections. Democratic led states argued the order would disrupt election preparations and could prevent eligible voters from casting ballots.

[Lisa Brady]

Fox's Matt Murphy the order sought to create a federal list of eligible voters and to use the postal service to determine who can receive a mail ballot. The judge ruling those provisions are unconstitutional. But at the U.S. supreme Court, two rulings in favor of the Trump administration on immigration, one allowing an end to legal protections for Haitian and Syrian refugees. Another ruling allowing limits on daily asylum cases at the southern border. However, no ruling yet on the president's order changes to limit birthright citizenship. Earthquakes in Venezuela now blamed for at least 188 deaths. The President of the country's national assembly also just confirming more than 200 people trapped. Fox's Dana Marie McNicoll the powerful back to back 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude quake struck just after 6pm yesterday rocking Caracas and coastal regions. It was a national holiday in Venezuela, so most people were at home during the quakes. Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the US Is sending help including search teams from Virginia. And the leader of Blood, Sweat and tears has died. David Clayton Thomas was from Canada, became frontman to a nine member group that won two Grammys beating out the Beatles Abbey Road for best album of 1969, also helping to inspire a wave of horn led bands. A spokesperson says he died peacefully yesterday. He was 84. America is listening to Fox News with American Home Shield. You can now video chat with live repair experts for help with home fixes over the phone. American Home Shield don't worry be warranty visit ahs.com listen for 20% off any

[CJ Papa]

plan available as a benefit with select plans.

[Lisa Brady]

The head of Homeland Security back on Capitol Hill.

[Eben Brown]

My number one job is to protect the homeland and I'm telling you ranking member I, I love my job.

[Lisa Brady]

Defending his agency's operations and budget, DHS

[Mark Wayne Mullen]

Secretary Mark Wayne Mullen spent the morning with a House appropriations subcommittee to explain how money in the budget is used to def the US Homeland against things like cartel activity from Mexico.

[Eben Brown]

And they're always looking for vulnerabilities to push human trafficking and drug trafficking across our border.

[Mark Wayne Mullen]

The president recently signed the Secure America act which put $70 billion into Immigration Enforcement and Border Patrol through 2029. Congressional Democrats oppose that bill, demanding vast reforms at both agencies. Eben Brown, FOX News.

[Lisa Brady]

Mixed news for the economy, with inflation hitting a three year high, 4.1% year over year and the Fed' favored gauge. But the US economy growing at a stronger 2.1% in the first quarter. The Dow hitting new highs right now up just 65 points. Scientists keep analyzing data being collected by a rover on Mars and spurring more debate about possible life on the Red Planet.

[CJ Papa]

NASA's Perseverance rover has detected complex carbon molecules and Martian rocks that are already in the spotlight for bearing potential signatures of ancient microbial life. The form of carbon detected, known as mmc, can originate from living organisms. Geological processes can also produce the material, meaning its detection does not amount to proof of past Martian life. The mudstone rocks from the Bright angel outcrop caused a stir in 2024 when the perseverance rover discovered intriguing surface spots and nodules that resemble features produced by fossilized microbes on Earth.

[Lisa Brady]

CJ Papa, FOX News Scientists detecting that complex carbon after shining the rover's ultraviolet laser at the rocks and measuring the light scattered back. I'm Lisa Brady, Fox News.

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