3AM ET 01/14/2026 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update: 3AM ET 01/14/2026 Newscast

Date: January 14, 2026
Host: Ted Lindner
Correspondents: Jeff Paul, Bill Melugin, Ainsley Earhart, Stephen Miller (guest/comment)

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Main Theme

This newscast provides a rapid roundup of major news stories from the early hours of January 14, 2026. Key topics include U.S. political support for Iranian protesters, developments in high-profile investigations and government actions in the U.S., a major corporate bankruptcy, and updates on immigration enforcement. The tone combines urgent factual updates with strong political soundbites and commentary.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. President Trump’s Support for Iranian Protesters

• President Trump addressed ongoing protests in Iran, promising support for demonstrators despite a communications blackout.
• He urged continued resistance and called for protesters to hold abusers accountable.

Notable quotes:

• "[00:19] Bill Melugin (quoting President Trump): 'Keep protesting, take over your institutions if possible, and save the name of the killers and the abusers that are abusing you. You're being very badly abused.'"

• "[00:30] Jeff Paul: The president proclaiming that help is on the way shortly after the U.S. Based human rights activists news agency revealed that more than 2,000 had been killed amid the ongoing protests."

• "[00:49] Ted Lindner: President Trump has said he's considering military action as a potential response to the crackdown on protests."

• The context is extremely tense: over 2,000 protesters reportedly killed, and Iran’s government accuses Trump of inciting violence.

• Trump canceled all meetings with Iranian officials pending a halt to the killings of protesters.

• Iran declares readiness for any U.S. intervention.

2. Minneapolis ICE Shooting & Civil Rights Inquiry

• The Justice Department has declined to open a civil rights investigation into the fatal shooting of a woman, Renee Good, by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer in Minneapolis.
• FBI is still investigating, and local officials express concern over lack of access to evidence.
• Criticism arises over whether the federal decision is premature; Minnesota officials contest jurisdictional issues.

3. Corporate Bankruptcy: Saks Global

• Saks Global, parent of Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, and Bergdorf Goodman, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in Houston federal court.

4. Venezuelan Interim Government Releases U.S. Prisoners

• At least four U.S. citizens imprisoned under the Maduro regime have been released.
• The U.S. State Department calls this "an important step in the right direction" by Venezuela's interim authorities.

5. Minnesota Opposition to ICE Operations

• Top Democratic officials in Minnesota speak out against ICE activities in Minneapolis; the Trump administration accuses them of misrepresenting facts.
• White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller defends the administration’s crackdown on what he calls "insurgent networks."

Notable quote:

• "[02:58] Stephen Miller: 'ICE operations under President Trump's direction...we now have the resources we need not only to protect the safety and security of our ICE officers and our border agents and their operations, but to begin the work of identifying, disrupting and dismantling these insurgent networks.'"

• The reference is linked to the previously discussed shooting of Renee Good, which federal officials labeled domestic terrorism, while Democrats allege it as an unjustified killing.

6. Congressional Subpoena: Bill Clinton & Epstein Investigation

• Former President Bill Clinton failed to appear before the House Oversight Committee for a deposition regarding the Jeffrey Epstein investigation, defying a federal subpoena.
• Hillary Clinton is similarly subpoenaed and her lawyers call the subpoenas "valid and legally unenforceable."
• No Democrats on the committee attended.
• If the House votes to hold Bill Clinton in contempt, it will be up to Attorney General Pam Bondi to possibly prosecute.

Notable quote:

• "[03:41] Bill Melugin: 'Despite being under a federal subpoena, Clinton failed to appear for a scheduled deposition with the House Oversight Committee as part of its Jeffrey Epstein investigation.'"

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Memorable Moments & Quotes

• Foreign Policy Tension: President Trump’s assertive promises to Iranian protesters and openness to military action (“There’s going to be a lot of help on the way and in different forms, including economic help.” — Trump, paraphrased by Jeff Paul, 00:30).
• Domestic Controversy: Minnesota’s officials challenging the federal government’s handling of the ICE shooting, and the labeling of the incident as domestic terrorism by federal officials but as “murder” by Democrats.
• Congressional Drama: A standoff over Bill Clinton’s refusal to appear before a House committee on Epstein, with legal and political consequences outlined.

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Timestamps for Significant Segments

• Iranian Protests and U.S. stance — [00:03] to [00:49]
• ICE Shooting & Justice Department Decision — [00:49] to [01:31]
• Saks Global Bankruptcy Announcement — [01:31] to [01:50]
• Venezuelan Prisoners Released — [02:32] to [02:42]
• Minnesota/ICE and Trump Administration — [02:42] to [03:17]
• Bill Clinton Subpoena/Epstein Investigation — [03:17] to [04:19]

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Brief Episode Takeaway

This newscast delivers a brisk sweep of top political, legal, and international stories that are shaping U.S. headlines, reflecting the tense and polarized tone of American news and politics in early 2026. The episode leans into high-profile controversies and provides direct soundbites from both government officials and critics, painting a picture of a nation—and a world—in flux and conflict.

Transcript

[Ted Lindner]

Supporting the protesters. I'm Ted Lindner. Fox News. President Trump repeating his support for protesters in Iran on Tuesday. Details from fox's Jeff Paul.

[Jeff Paul]

President Trump, despite a communication blackout in Iran, is sending a message to those very people demonstrating out in the streets.

[Bill Melusion]

Keep protesting, take over your institutions if possible, and save the name of the killers and the abusers that are abusing you. You're being very badly abused.

[Jeff Paul]

The president proclaiming that help is on the way shortly after the U. S. Based human rights activists news agency revealed that more than 2,000 had been killed amid the ongoing protests. When asked to elaborate, Trump said simply, there's going to be a lot of help on the way and in different forms, including economic help.

[Ted Lindner]

President Trump has said he's considering military action as a potential response to the crackdown on protests. He's canceled all meetings with Iranian officials until the killing of protesters ends. Iran says it's ready for any US Intervention and accused the president of inciting violence. The Justice Department says it will not open a civil rights investigation into the fatal shooting of a woman by a U.S. immigration and Customs Enforcement officer in Minneapolis that happened last week. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanch says that there is currently no basis for such an inquiry, even as an FBI investigation continues. Federal officials say the officer acted in self defense while crossing. Critics warn that the decision comes before a full review of the evidence. Minnesota officials have also raised concerns after federal authorities blocked the state from accessing evidence and said it lacks jurisdiction. And Saks Global, the parent company of the iconic Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman department stores, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The filing occurred late on Tuesday in U.S. bankruptcy Court in Houston, Texas. America's listening to FOX News.

[Ainsley Earhart]

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[Ted Lindner]

Fox can confirm the interim government in Venezuela has released at least four U.S. citizens who were imprisoned under the Maduro regime. The State Department calling it, quote, an important step in the right direction by the interim authorities. Top Democrat state officials in Minnesota speaking out against ICE operations in Minneapolis, the Trump administration says they're spitting a dangerous narrative. White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller says the Trump administration is moving forward to dismantle fraud and step up.

[Stephen Miller]

ICE operations under President Trump's direction. Under Secretary Noem's leadership, we now have the resources we need not only to protect the safety and security of our ICE officers and our border agents and their operations, but to begin the work of identifying, disrupting and dismantling these insurgent networks.

[Ted Lindner]

This comes after 37 year old Renee Good was fatally shot after allegedly using her vehicle as a weapon in an act that Trump officials called domestic terrorism. Democrats suggesting that Good was murdered senselessly by ICE Former President Bill Clinton no show on Capitol Hill Tuesday, failing to appear before the House Oversight Committee to answer questions about Jeffrey Epstein. Fox's Bill Melusion from Capitol Hill has.

[Bill Melusion]

More despite being under a federal subpoena, Clinton failed to appear for a scheduled deposition with the House Oversight Committee as part of its Jeffrey Epstein investigation. Hillary Clinton is also subpoenaed to give her deposition, but in a letter, Clinton's lawyers call the subpoenas valid and legally unenforceable. Also not in attendance any of the Democrats on the committee, the House would have to vote to approve holding former President Bill Clinton in contempt of Congress for not showing up. That vote would require a simple majority to pass. If it does pass the House, it then gets referred to the Department of Justice, where it will be all up to AG Pam Bondi to decide if she wants to prosecute the former president.

[Ted Lindner]

The former president was known to be friendly with Epstein before his federal indictment, but was never officially implicated in any wrongdoing related to him.

[Ainsley Earhart]

I'm Ted Lindner, this is Ainsley Earhart. Thank you for joining me for the 52 episode podcast series the Life of.

[Bill Melusion]

Jesus, a listening experience that will provide hope, comfort and understanding of the greatest story ever told. Listen and follow [e-mail] or wherever you listen to podcasts.