2PM ET 07/18/2025 Newscast

Summary

Fox News Hourly Update: Detailed Summary of 2PM ET Episode on July 18, 2025

On the July 18, 2025, episode of the Fox News Hourly Update, host Therese Crowley, along with contributors Ryan Schmelz, Will Kane, Peter Doocy, and others, delivered comprehensive coverage of the day's most pressing news stories. The episode delved into a tragic explosion at a law enforcement facility, significant legislative developments, controversies involving high-profile media personalities, and ongoing political investigations. Below is a detailed summary of the key topics, discussions, insights, and conclusions presented during the broadcast.

1. Explosion at Los Angeles County Sheriff's Facility

The episode opened with a somber report from Therese Crowley about a tragic incident involving an explosion at a Los Angeles County Sheriff's training facility.

• Casualties and Investigation:

  • Therese Crowley [00:02] reported, "Attorney General Pam Bondi says at least three people are dead in this 7:30 am explosion. But the FBI is investigating the explosion as an accident.”
  • Details: The explosion occurred during the transportation of ordinances at the facility. A helicopter view captured the aftermath, showing significant damage to a deputy's Chevy Tahoe.

• Contextual Insight:

  • Crowley noted the irony of this incident amidst "recent threats to law enforcement," suggesting broader tensions between authorities and the community.
  • The investigation remains ongoing, with identities of the casualties yet to be confirmed.

2. Congressional Rescissions Package

Ryan Schmelz provided an in-depth analysis of a landmark legislative move by Congress.

• Passing the Rescissions Package:

  • Ryan Schmelz [00:45] explained, "After a narrow vote in both the House and Senate, a rescissions package has been passed by Congress for the first time since the '90s."
  • Key Provisions: The package includes a $9 billion cut in spending on foreign aid and public broadcasting.

• Political Implications:

  • House Speaker Mike Johnson criticized the government for inefficiency, stating, "The government is too large. It does too many things and it does almost nothing well."
  • Democratic Response: Democrats opposed the cuts, arguing that the funds were previously approved through a bipartisan agreement, which they claim has now been undermined.

• Significance:

  • The passage of the rescissions package is viewed as a test for future spending cuts, with the Trump administration asserting it will be "key in reducing the deficit."
  • Process: Schmelz highlighted that "A rescission only needs a simple majority to pass in both chambers," indicating a strategic legislative approach.

3. Cryptocurrency Legislation and Stephen Colbert Show Cancellation

Therese Crowley reported on President Trump's signing of new cryptocurrency legislation and the controversy surrounding Stephen Colbert's show.

• Cryptocurrency Regulation:

  • Crowley [01:23] stated, "President Trump also signing the Genius Act tying the form of cryptocurrency stablecoin to the value of the dollar."
  • Implications: This move aims to stabilize cryptocurrency markets by linking stablecoins directly to the US dollar, potentially increasing regulatory oversight.

• Media Controversy:

  • Cancellation of Stephen Colbert's Show:
    • Colbert's show was canceled by CBS and parent company Paramount following his on-air accusation of receiving "a big fat bribe in their legal settlement with President Trump."
    • President Trump's Reaction: "I absolutely love that Colbert got fired. His talent was even less than his ratings," Trump commented.
    • CBS's Stance: CBS maintains the cancellation was a purely financial decision, unrelated to Colbert's comments.

• Political Fallout:

  • Senator Adam Schiff has called for an investigation into the matter, emphasizing the politicized nature of media cancellations.
  • The controversy intensified as the news broke shortly after Colbert taped an episode titled "America's Listening to Fox News."

4. Biden White House Subpoenas and Oversight

The update shifted focus to ongoing investigations involving the Biden administration, highlighting tensions within the White House.

• Subpoenas to Biden Staffers:

  • Therese Crowley [02:16] reported that Annie Tomasini, former Deputy Chief of Staff for President Biden, refused to answer questions regarding the President's cognitive abilities.
  • James Comer's Statement:
    • James Comer [02:42] asserted, "There is now a pattern of key Biden confidants seeking to shield themselves from criminal liability for this potential conspiracy."
    • Comer emphasized Tomasini's significance within the Biden inner circle and her non-cooperation with the House Oversight Committee.

• Additional Refusals:

  • Anthony Bernal, former Chief of Staff to First Lady Jill Biden and a close aide to President Biden, also declined to answer staff questions during his appearance before the committee.

• Upcoming Depositions:

  • Mike Emanuel reported that former press secretary Karine Jean Pierre is among four additional Biden staffers who have agreed to be deposed, indicating a widening investigation into the administration.

5. Jeffrey Epstein Grand Jury Records

The episode concluded with efforts by President Trump to unearth more information about the late Jeffrey Epstein through Attorney General Pam Bondi.

• Public Disclosure Efforts:

  • Peter Doocy [03:44] explained, "President is also making a public call for Attorney General Pam Bondi to move to release Epstein grand jury material."
  • Legal Proceedings: The process involves obtaining a judge in New York to review Code 6E, which governs grand jury secrecy, potentially leading to a broader review of the materials that led to Epstein's imprisonment.

• Challenges:

  • The release of these records is complicated by court protections safeguarding the names of approximately a thousand victims, posing significant legal and ethical challenges.

Conclusion

The July 18, 2025, episode of Fox News Hourly Update provided listeners with a comprehensive overview of critical events shaping the national landscape. From a tragic explosion affecting law enforcement personnel to significant legislative changes and high-stakes political investigations, the broadcast underscored the dynamic and often contentious nature of contemporary American politics. Notable quotes and detailed reporting from various contributors offered depth and insight, making the episode a valuable resource for those seeking to understand the multifaceted issues discussed.

Transcript

[Therese Crowley]

Accidental casualties. I'm Therese Crowley, Fox News. The FBI investigating the scene of an explosion at a Los Angeles county sheriff's facility. Attorney General Pam Bondi says at least three people are dead in this 7:30am explosion. But the FBI investigating the explosion as an accident. Transporting ordinances at the training facility with a chopper view showing the back of a deputy Chevy Tahoe blown out again. Despite the recent threats to law enforcement, this being investigated as an accident too soon to identify the casualties. President Trump praising Republicans in Congress for big progress in such a short time with two signing ceremonies this afternoon on both rescissions and cryptocurrency.

[Ryan Schmelz]

After a narrow vote in both the House and Senate, a rescissions package has been passed by Congress for the first time since the 90s. House Speaker Mike Johnson government is too large. It does too many things and it does almost nothing well. The rescissions package cuts $9 billion in spending on foreign aid and public broadcasting and has been seen as a test r for future spending cuts the Trump administration believes will be key in reducing the deficit. Democrats railed against the cuts, arguing the money was already approved by Congress through a bipartisan agreement and that agreement has now been broken. A rescission only needs a simple majority to pass in both chambers. On Capitol Hill, Ryan Schmelz, Fox News.

[Therese Crowley]

President Trump also signing the genius act tying the form of cryptocurrency stablecoin to the value of the dollar. Democrats vow an investigation after CBS and parent company Paramount canceled the Stephen Col Bear show after Colbert accused his corporate parents on the air of, quote, a big fat bribe in their legal settlement with President Trump. President Trump posting I absolutely love that Colbert got fired. His talent was even less than his ratings. CBS says it's purely a financial decision. Senator Adam Schiff wants an investigation. Word came right after he taped an episode America's listening to Fox News.

[Will Kane]

It's the Will Kane Show. Watch it live at noon Eastern Monday through Thursday on fox news.com or on the Fox News YouTube channel. And don't miss a show. Get the podcast five days a week at foxnewspodcasts.com or wherever you download your favorite podcasts.

[Therese Crowley]

Taking the fifth the third Biden White House insider subpoenaed by the House Oversight Committee. Former President Biden Deputy Chief of Staff Annie Tomasini refused to answer questions about President Biden cognitive decline. And auto pen House Oversight Chair James Comer with his statement saying there is now a pattern of key Biden confidants seeking to shield themselves from criminal, criminal liability for this potential conspiracy.

[James Comer]

Annie Thomasini was not high profile in the media, but she was clearly a significant member of the Biden inner circle. As a deputy White House chief of staff, she did not answer questions on her way in to meet with the House Oversight Committee staff. She was subpoenaed on Tuesday. Initially, her attorney had agreed to a voluntary appearance, but then requested a subpoena to compel her to speak with the committee earlier this week. On Wednesday, Anthony Bernal appeared before this committee. He was former first lady Jill Biden's chief of staff. Bernal was known as Joe Biden's work husband, having a very close relationship with the Bidens, but he refused to answer staff questions.

[Therese Crowley]

Fox's Mike Emanuel says former press secretary Karine Jean Pierre is among four more Biden staffers who have agreed to be deposed. President Trump again directing Attorney General Pam Bondi to get further files out to the public on the late sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. But this involves sealed New York grand jury records with courts protecting the names of a thousand victims. Fox's Peter Doocy at the White House.

[Peter Doocy]

President is also making a public call for the Attorney general Pam Bondi, to move to release Epstein grand jury material, and that is moving along. The first step, it's going to be for the Justice Department possibly today to get a judge in New York assigned to this effort to review code 6e, which is grand jury secrecy that could eventually lead to a review of the materials that led to Epstein's imprisonment.

[Therese Crowley]

Fox's Peter Doocy. I'm Therese Crowley. This is Fox News.

[Will Kane]

It's Will Taint Country. Watch it live at noon Eastern Monday through [e-mail] or on the Fox News YouTube channel. And don't miss the show. Listen and follow the podcast five days a week at foxnewspodcasts.com or wherever you download your favorite podcasts.