2PM ET 08/21/2025 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update – 2PM ET 08/21/2025 Newscast

Host: Lisa Brady, FOX News
Date: August 21, 2025

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Episode Overview

This episode presents a concise roundup of national news with a focus on President Trump’s crime crackdown efforts in Washington D.C., updates on his legal battles in New York, progress on Israel-Hamas ceasefire talks, parole hearings for the Menendez brothers, new charges in a New York City corruption probe, and a quick snapshot of the day’s economic news.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

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1. President Trump’s Participation in D.C. Crime Crackdown

[00:02 – 00:56]

• President Trump plans to patrol with federal law enforcement and National Guard members in the nation’s capital as part of ongoing crime crackdown efforts.
  • Lisa Brady reports this high-security operation, emphasizing the increased patrols and attention.
  • Peter Doocy highlights extraordinary security concerns whenever the president is in public:

    “There are obviously extreme security concerns anytime that the president even comes out on the lawn behind a tall fence and with a small army of Secret Service.” (Peter Doocy, 00:16)

  • Significant drop in crime stats:

    “[M]ajor crime stats, they're all down in Washington, D.C. for the last couple of days. And so President Trump wants to go out there and talk about how it is safe enough even for a president to go where no president has gone before, which would be some of these very dangerous areas at night if there is not an event going on.” (Peter Doocy, 00:29)

  • Some D.C. leaders argue that violent crime was already on the decline before these efforts.

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2. Update on Trump’s New York Civil Fraud Case

[00:56 – 01:34]

• Appeals court overturns a major penalty against Trump in a New York civil fraud case, calling it a “total victory” per the President.
  • Details of the Ruling: Some judges cited trial errors and Eighth Amendment violations for excessive fines.
  • However, the majority still found Trump, his sons, and his organization liable for business fraud (falsifying financial forms for business advantages).
  • Letitia James, New York’s AG, plans to appeal the penalty reversal.
  • Trump maintains the lawsuit amounts to election interference.

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3. Middle East Updates: Israel-Hamas

[01:34 – 01:59]

• Renewed talks in sight for an Israel-Hamas ceasefire and hostage exchange.
• Israeli Prime Minister simultaneously confirms final approval for an operation to take over Gaza City.

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4. Parole Hearings: Eric and Lyle Menendez

[02:15 – 03:01]

• First parole hearings for the Menendez brothers in 35 years, after their resentencing.
  • The brothers were convicted of murdering their parents and initially denied involvement, later citing abuse as motive.
  • Supporters argue they have shown “sustained growth” and “sincere remorse.”

    “They have shown sustained growth. They've taken full accountability. They express sincere remorse to our family to this day and have built a meaningful life defined by purpose and service.” (Menendez family statement, via Jonathan Hunt, 02:23)

  • LA County prosecutor disagrees, saying the brothers haven't demonstrated “full insight” or “full rehabilitation.”
  • Parole board’s recommendation is subject to the California governor’s final decision.

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5. New Charges in NYC Corruption Probe

[03:01 – 04:00]

• Seven people charged, including former key aides to Mayor Eric Adams—notably Ingrid Lewis Martin (former chief of staff), her son, a former state senator, and major political donors.
  • Lewis Martin and her son accused of accepting bribes to expedite construction approvals; both plead not guilty.
  • Manhattan DA's office alleges she accepted over $75,000 in bribes over two years.
  • Eric Adams, now running for re-election as an independent, has not been charged.

  • “Lewis Martin took more than $75,000 in bribes over the course of two years while she served as the mayor's advisor.” (Tanya J. Powers, 03:19)

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6. Economic Snapshot

[04:00 – 04:10]

• US stocks are lower, Dow down 141 points.
• Mixed economic news, including a rise in first-time unemployment claims.

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• Peter Doocy on security for President Trump:

  “There are obviously extreme security concerns anytime that the president even comes out on the lawn behind a tall fence and with a small army of Secret Service.” (00:16)

• Menendez family supporters' statement:

  “They have shown sustained growth. They've taken full accountability. They express sincere remorse to our family to this day and have built a meaningful life defined by purpose and service.” (02:23)

• On the New York corruption charges:

  “Lewis Martin took more than $75,000 in bribes over the course of two years while she served as the mayor's advisor.” (Tanya J. Powers, 03:19)

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Useful Timestamps

• President Trump Support for D.C. Crime Crackdown: 00:02–00:56
• NY Civil Fraud Case Update: 00:56–01:34
• Israel-Hamas Ceasefire and Gaza Update: 01:34–01:59
• Menendez Parole Latest: 02:15–03:01
• NYC Corruption Probe Charges: 03:01–04:00
• Market/Economic Update: 04:00–04:10

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This Fox News Hourly Update delivers rapid-fire coverage of major stories, blending direct reporting, legal updates, and pointed analysis. It’s a quick, authoritative snapshot for listeners seeking the day’s top national and political news.

Transcript

[Lisa Brady]

The president on patrol. Lisa Brady, FOX News. That's the plan tonight in the nation's capital, where a crime crackdown continues. President Trump plans to go on patrol with some of the federal law enforcement and National Guard members leading the effort. No doubt with a lot of security.

[Peter Doocy]

There are obviously extreme security concerns anytime that the president even comes out on the lawn behind a tall fence and with a small army of Secret Service.

[Lisa Brady]

Agents here, Fox's Peter Doocy at the White House.

[Peter Doocy]

We know that there are a ton of additional federal assets in some of the real problem spots for crime in Washington, D.C. and the major crime stats, they're all down in Washington, D.C. for the last couple of days. And so President Trump wants to go out there and talk about how it is safe enough even for a president to go where no president has gone before, which would be some of these very dangerous areas at night if there is not an event going on.

[Lisa Brady]

D.C. leaders have argued violent crime was already declining. President Trump says an appeals court ruling is a total victory, tossing out a more than half billion dollar penalty in a New York civil fraud case.

[Brian Yen]

Two of the judges cited trial errors. Two other justices said the penalty violated President Trump's Eighth Amendment constitutional rights barring excessive fines. However, the majority of the court, four out of the five justices found the president, his sons and the Trump Organization still liable for business fraud, for falsifying and misleading financial forms to obtain business advantages like more favorable loans.

[Lisa Brady]

Fox's Brian Yen a majority also finding that New York's Attorney General Letitia James had authority to pursue the case. She plans to appeal today's ruling on the penalty. The president has accused her of election interference. Israel plans to resume talks on a ceasefire and hostage deal with Hamas. However, the prime minister also just confirming he will give final approval for a takeover of Gaza City. America is listening to FOX News.

[Janice Dean]

I'm Janice Dean. Join me every Sunday as I focus on stories of hope and people who are truly rays of sunshine in their their community and across the world.

[Lisa Brady]

Listen and follow [e-mail].

A First Chance at parole for Eric and Lyle Menendez in separate hearings with the parole board beginning today after a recent resentencing opened.

[Jonathan Hunt]

The door 35 years since the brothers murdered their parents, blasting them both with shotguns in the living room of the family's Beverly Hills home. After initially denying any involvement, the brothers then claimed they acted in self defense after years of abuse by their father. Their supporters, including around a dozen members of the Menendez family, argue the brothers have been punished enough saying in a new statement, quote, they have shown sustained growth. They've taken full accountability. They express sincere remorse to our family to this day and have built a meaningful life defined by purpose and service.

[Lisa Brady]

Fox's Jonathan Hunt, the LA county prosecutor, disagrees, saying the brothers have not demonstrated full insight into their crimes or shown full rehabilitation. If the board recommends parole for either of them, the final decision would be up to California's governor. Seven people facing new charges in a corruption probe surrounding the New York City mayor.

[Tanya J. Powers]

Among those facing new charges, Mayor Eric Adams, former chief of staff and closest confidant Ingrid Lewis Martin, her son Glenn D. Martin, former state Senator Jesse Hamilton and two of Adams political donors. Lewis Martin resigned in December ahead of her indictment in a separate case in which she and her son are accused of taking bribes in exchange for her speeding approvals for construction projects. They have both pleaded not guilty in that case, which is still pending. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office says Lewis Martin took more than $75,000 in bribes over the course of two years while she served as the mayor's advisor. Adams, who is seeking re election as an independent, has not been charged. In New York City, Tanya J.

[Lisa Brady]

Powers, FOX NEWS Stocks are lower right now. The Dow's down 141 points after some mixed economic news, including a rise in first time claims for unemployment benefits.

And Lisa Brady, FOX NEWS from FOX News Podcasts Network.

[Kennedy]

Hey there, it's me, Kennedy. Make sure to check out my podcast, kennedy Saves the World. It is five days a week, every week. Download and listen@fox newspodcast.com or wherever you listen to your favorite podcast.