Fox News Hourly Update – 2PM ET 09/16/2025

Main Theme & Episode Overview

This concise newscast delivers fast-breaking headlines from Capitol Hill, criminal justice, federal initiatives, and regulatory news. Key topics include heated Senate testimony by FBI Director Cash Patel, federal crime crackdowns involving the National Guard, updates on high-profile criminal cases, new FDA actions on telehealth, and market news.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Senate Hearing: FBI Director Cash Patel Faces Scrutiny

[00:02–00:58]

• Fireworks during Senate Testimony:

  • FBI Director Cash Patel appears before the Senate, defending himself against accusations by Democrats of politicizing the FBI and avenging Trump-related investigations by firing agents.
  • California Senator Adam Schiff presses Patel directly about any disciplinary action against agents involved with Trump/Jan 6th probes.
    • Notably tense exchange:

      B: “Did you terminate or participate in any discipline of any FBI employee in whole or in part because of their work on an investigation of Donald Trump or January 6th? Yes or no?..."
      B (Patel): “...you don't like the answer because it's no.” [00:15–00:37]

• Handling of Jeffrey Epstein Investigation:

  • Schiff questions Patel on this point, prompting a fierce personal attack from Patel:

    B (Patel): “I'm not surprised that you continue to lie from your perch and put on a show so you can go raise money for your charade. You are a political buffoon at best.” [00:45–00:58]

• Ongoing FBI Investigations:

  • Patel updates lawmakers on a continuing probe into a chat group linked to Charlie Kirk’s accused killer, with formal charges pending in Utah.

2. Utah Shooting Investigation

[01:16–01:29]

• Investigators are combing through the electronics of Tyler Robinson, the accused killer, searching for evidence of accomplices or advance knowledge among his contacts.

3. New York Court Case – Terrorism Charges Dropped

[01:29–02:00]

• Judge in NYC drops state terrorism charges against Luigi Mangione, accused of killing a health care executive, stating ideological motivation alone doesn’t meet the state’s legal terrorism definition.
• Mangione still faces several counts, including murder.

4. Federal Crime Crackdown & National Guard in Memphis

[02:28–03:19]

• Memphis prepares for arrival of the National Guard as part of President Trump’s federal crime crackdown, dubbed Operation Viper, in partnership with state and federal agencies.

  • D: “The National Guard is coming to Memphis... in Operation Viper to get violent offenders off the streets.” [02:36–02:52]

  • President Trump signed a memorandum with Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and hinted at possible action in Chicago.

• Regional Impact:

  • Nearby Mississippi sheriffs pre-emptively clearing jails for a possible crime spillover.

• Presidential Quote:

  • B (Trump): “We’re not going to allow this kind of savagery to destroy our society anymore. We’re stopping it doing one by one time, but we want to go quickly.” [02:52–03:02]

• Trump claims DC’s crime problem is “fixed” as he heads to the UK for a state visit.

5. FDA Targets Telehealth Companies Over Drug Claims

[03:19–04:13]

• FDA cracks down on firms (including Hims and Hers) for comparing compounded products to FDA-approved weight-loss drugs (e.g., Wegovy, Ozempic), sending 100-plus warning letters.

  • E: “The agency says the claims imply that products are the same as an FDA approved product when they are not.” [03:35–03:52]

• HIMS responds, noting its materials make clear compounded treatments lack FDA approval.
• This move follows Trump's directive for pharmaceutical honesty in advertising.

6. Market Updates

[04:13–04:28]

• Stocks dip as the Federal Reserve begins a two-day meeting, with expectations of a possible rate cut.

  • A: "The Dow is down 103.” [04:13–04:28]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Patel v. Schiff at Senate Hearing:

  B (Patel): “You are a political buffoon at best.” [00:45–00:58]

• President Trump on Crime:

  B (Trump): “We’re not going to allow this kind of savagery to destroy our society anymore.” [02:52–03:02]

• FDA on Telehealth Drug Claims:

  E: “The agency says the claims imply that products are the same as an FDA approved product when they are not.” [03:35–03:52]

Important Timestamps

• [00:02–00:58] — Senate hearing fireworks; Patel and Schiff trade barbs
• [01:16–01:29] — Utah shooting investigation update
• [01:29–02:00] — NYC judge drops terrorism charge in high-profile murder
• [02:28–03:19] — National Guard mobilization in Memphis; Trump’s crackdown
• [03:19–04:13] — FDA enforcement on telehealth drug marketing
• [04:13–04:28] — Fed meeting and stock market dip

Tone & Language

The reporting is crisp, urgent, and occasionally contentious, reflecting the high-stakes political maneuvers and federal interventions discussed. Direct quotations highlight the confrontational exchanges and official stances central to the episode’s news stories.