Summary4 min read

Fox News Hourly Update

Episode: 3AM ET 01/17/2026 Newscast
Host: Chris DiMaio
Date: January 17, 2026

Main Theme

This concise newscast provides updates on ongoing protests against ICE in Minneapolis, developments in a high-profile Utah murder case, heightened protests and violence in Iran, and new U.S. tariffs related to Iranian allies. The episode is structured as a rapid-fire roundup of the day’s most urgent stories with direct field reports and legal developments.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Minneapolis ICE Protests and Federal Response

Protests Continue Despite Cold: Demonstrators remain active outside the Minneapolis federal building, protesting against ICE, even as temperatures drop into single digits and snow continues.
- “The cold weather is not stopping them.” — Bill Melusion [00:39]
Federal Agents Make Arrests:
- Two protesters arrested after a skirmish near the federal building; one was maced.
- Actions described as a sudden "bull rush" by federal agents.
  - “They just bull rushed two of those protesters who the feds will say were on federal property. They tried getting away. They took two of them down to the ground.” — Bill Melusion [00:17]
- No tear gas used during this incident.
Judicial Limitations on Federal Actions:
- Judge rules federal agents in Minneapolis cannot detain or use tear gas against protesters who are not interfering with official operations.
- Justice Department now investigating Minnesota Governor Tim Walsh and others.
  - “A federal judge bars federal officers from detaining or deploying tear gas against peaceful protesters who were not obstructing authorities while participating in Operation Metro Surge in Minneapolis.” — Chris DiMaio [00:47]
- Officers must show probable cause or reasonable suspicion before acting against peaceful demonstrators or observers.
  - “The ruling prohibits officers from retaliating against anyone peacefully protesting or observing their actions...” — Gary Baumgarten [01:14]
Federal Stance:
- DHS official claims they are protecting the public from "dangerous rioters."
- National Guard troops to remain in Washington, D.C. through year’s end.
  - “National Guard troops will be on the Streets of Washington, D.C. till the end of the year.” — Chris DiMaio [01:44]

2. Utah Murder Case: Prosecutorial Conflict Debate

Defense Seeks Prosecutor Removal:
- Defense for Tyler Robinson (accused of killing Charlie Kirk) seeks to disqualify Utah County prosecutors due to possible conflict of interest: a prosecutor’s child was near the crime scene.
  - “Tyler Robinson's lawyers say… Prosecutor A was 85 ft away from Charlie Kirk when he was fatally shot in September, arguing this is a conflict of interest.” — Kristen Goodwin [02:48]
- Judge did not immediately disqualify prosecutors, but did grant an evidentiary hearing.
Courtroom Exchanges:
- Defense presses Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray about what he knew regarding the involvement of "Prosecutor A’s" child.
  - “Gray explaining he didn't talk to anyone other than his team about what he heard from his colleague. Prosecutors calling the defense's motion a stall tactic.” — Kristen Goodwin [03:20]
- Hearing scheduled to continue February 3.

3. Iran Protests and U.S. Response

Escalating Violence in Iran:
- Supreme Leader’s envoy calls for execution of "armed hypocrites," labels protesters as "Trump’s soldiers."
- Regime crackdown: nearly 2,800 reported dead, 3,000 arrested. Reports of strong gunfire from security forces.
  - “The death toll from the regime's brutal response nearing 2800, according to a U.S.-based human rights group.” — Greg Palkot [03:40]
- Communications blackout persists within Iran.
- Exiled figures, including the late Shah’s son, vocal outside the country.
U.S. Tariff Consequences:
- President Trump threatens extra 25% tariffs on all countries working with Iran, specifically naming China, Russia, and Brazil.
  - “The president has also confirmed that any country that has been working with Iran will be getting an extra 25% tariff.” — Chris DiMaio [04:19]

Notable Quotes

On Minneapolis Protest Intensity:
“There were a couple of protesters standing in front of the main gate to this federal property… at the snap of their fingers, they just bull rushed two of those protesters…”
— Bill Melusion [00:11]
On Judicial Limits for Federal Agents:
“The ruling prohibits officers from retaliating against anyone peacefully protesting or observing their actions, adding the agents must show probable cause or reasonable suspicion that someone has committed a crime or is interfering with law enforcement before taking action.”
— Gary Baumgarten [01:14]
On Court Strategy in High-Profile Murder Case:
“Prosecutors calling the defense's motion a stall tactic. The hearing will continue on February 3rd.”
— Kristen Goodwin [03:20]
On Iran’s Deadly Crackdown:
“The death toll from the regime's brutal response nearing 2800… many more injured and according to the government, 3,000 arrested.”
— Greg Palkot [03:40]

Timestamps for Important Segments

Minneapolis ICE Protest Arrests & Judicial Orders: 00:02 – 01:44
National Guard Extension in D.C.: 01:44
Utah Murder Case Prosecutor Challenge: 02:39 – 03:33
Iran Protest Crackdown & U.S. Tariffs: 03:33 – 04:19

Tone and Delivery

The reporting is brisk, fact-driven, and leans into the urgency of developing stories. On-the-ground field reporters provide vivid imagery and build a tense, unfolding narrative, especially in Minneapolis and international coverage. Legal updates are presented with focus on due process and court proceedings, maintaining a tone of scrutiny and gravity.

Loading summary

Transcript15 lines

[00:03]
Chris DiMaio
The heat continues on ice. I'm Chris DiMaio, Fox News. At least two arrests Friday night outside the federal building in Minneapolis as protests continue against ice.
[00:12]
Bill Melusion
There were a couple of protesters standing in front of the main gate to this federal property. And then there was a skirmish line of federal agents that started walking slowly and then kind of at the snap of their fingers, they just bull rushed two of those protesters who the feds will say we're on federal property. They tried getting away. They took two of them down to the ground. We saw one person get maced in the face over in the snow. Not sure exactly what led up to that interaction other than that it hasn't been as active as it was. We haven't seen any tear gas. It has been snowing all day. The temperatures have dropped in a single digit. Still, you got folks out here protesting. The cold weather is not stopping them.
[00:47]
Chris DiMaio
Fox's Bill Melusion in Minneapolis. A judge ruled Friday federal agents in Minneapolis couldn't detain or use tear gas against protesters who aren't blocking them from carrying out their operations. The Justice Department is reportedly investigating Minnesota Governor Tim Walsh and other officials. Meantime, a federal judge bars federal officers from detaining or deploying tear gas against peaceful protesters who were not obstructing authorities while participating in Operation Metro Surge in Minneapolis.
[01:14]
Gary Baumgarten
The ruling prohibits officers from retaliating against anyone peacefully protesting or observing their actions, adding the agents must show probable cause or reasonable suspicion that someone has committed a crime or is interfering with law enforcement before taking action. DHS assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin says the agents are protecting themselves and the public from dangerous rioters. Gary Baumgarten, FOX NEWS National Guard troops.
[01:45]
Chris DiMaio
Will be on the Streets of Washington, D.C. till the end of the year. That's according to a memo reviewed by the Associated Press. That memo, signed by Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, America's listening to FOX News.
[02:00]
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[02:40]
Chris DiMaio
Attorneys for Charlie Kirk's accused killer, Tyler Robinson, are trying to remove prosecutors from the case. Fox's Kristen Goodwin has more.
[02:48]
Kristen Goodwin
Tyler Robinson's lawyers say a briefing revealed the child of an attorney in the Utah county attorney's office, dubbed Prosecutor A was 85ft away from Charlie Kirk when he was fatally shot in September, arguing this is a conflict of interest. Judge Tony Graf not granting the defense's motion to disqualify prosecutors based on the briefing, but he did grant an evidentiary hearing on the motion. The defense grilling Utah County Attorney Jeff.
[03:12]
Gary Baumgarten
Gray and at some point I was told that Prosecutor A's child left her back, left the back there.
[03:21]
Kristen Goodwin
Gray explaining he didn't talk to anyone other than his team about what he heard from his colleague. Prosecutors calling the defense's motion a stall tactic. The the hearing will continue on February 3rd. Kristen Goodwin, Fox News.
[03:34]
Chris DiMaio
President Trump is continuing to monitor the protests in Iran, explaining that he's serious about a crackdown if the regime gets worse.
[03:41]
Greg Palkot
An appointee, the supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei at Friday prayers in Tehran declaring armed hypocrites should be put to death. Also branding the protesters Trump's soldiers. The death toll from the regime's brutal response nearing 2800, according to a U. S. Based human rights group. Eyewitnesses from Iran say the security forces gunfire was strong along with those killed, many more injured and according to the government, 3,000 arrested. While only scattered protests were reported, the regime's Internet blackout inside the country remains in place, causing others outside to route them on, including the son of the late deposed Shah of Iran.
[04:19]
Chris DiMaio
That's Fox's Greg Palkot reporting in London. The president has also confirmed that any country that has been working with Iran will be getting an extra 25% tariff. Those countries include China, Russia and Brazil. I'm Chris DiMeo. This is Fox News.
[04:36]
Kristen Goodwin
This is Ainsley Earhart. Thank you for joining me for the 52 episode podcast series the Life of.
[04:41]
Chris DiMaio
Jesus, A listening experience that will provide hope, comfort and understanding of the greatest story ever told. Listen and follow now@foxnewspodcasts.com or wherever you listen to podcasts.