3AM ET 02/02/2026 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update: 3AM ET 02/02/2026 Newscast

Host: Ted Lindner, FOX News Podcasts
Date: February 2, 2026

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Episode Overview

This edition of the Fox News Hourly Update delivers rapid-fire reporting on key national and international developments, with a focus on the partial government shutdown, immigration policies, health concerns at a Texas ICE facility, U.S. policy towards Iran amid Middle Eastern tensions, highlights from the Grammy Awards, and reactions to the music industry’s big night. Throughout, the tone is brisk and news-oriented, encapsulating the urgency and variety of overnight breaking stories.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Partial Government Shutdown & Congressional Maneuvering

• Senate's Spending Package:
  The U.S. Senate approved a stopgap spending bill (71-29 vote) to stave off a government shutdown, but without full funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

• Democratic Opposition:
  Democrats withheld support for any bill channeling DHS funds amid ongoing disputes over immigration enforcement.

• House Decision Pending:
  Speaker Mike Johnson expressed confidence that the House will pass the package, which funds DHS for just two more weeks.

  Notable Quote:

  • Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) criticized Democrats for their stance:

    "I wish the Democrats would be as upset about the deaths of Lincoln Riley and Rachel Morin and the many, many, many, many others who have been victimized by crimes committed by illegal immigrants."
    (00:20)

2. ICE Protests and White House Policy Shift

• ICE Protests Quiet Down:
  Reporting indicated a quieter day for ICE protests, possibly related to President Trump’s recent announcement on dealing with civil unrest.

• Trump’s Directives:
  President Trump declared changes in federal response to unrest in Democrat-led cities, stating assistance would only be provided upon local request.

  Trump Statement:

  "I've instructed Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem and that under no circumstances are we going to participate in various poorly run Democrat cities with regard to their protests and or riots unless and until they ask us for help."
  (00:49)

3. Measles Outbreak at Texas ICE Facility

• Facility Lockdown:
  The Dilley Immigration Processing Center near San Antonio halted all movement due to confirmed measles infections.

• Quarantines and Public Health:
  Two detainees tested positive; contacts were quarantined. The facility had recently released five-year-old Liam Ramos and his father, but advocacy groups expressed concern for other families still detained.

  Health Official Statement:

  • Tricia McLaughlin, DHS assistant secretary, confirmed steps being taken:

    "[Texas officials] confirmed active measles infections of two detainees… individuals suspected of making contact with the infected have been quarantined and they're ceasing all movement within the facility."
    (01:16)

4. U.S. Policy Toward Iran and Military Presence

• Trump Rules Out Strikes, Open to Diplomacy:
  President Trump confirmed there would be no military strikes on Iran despite regional tensions, but did not rule out future action and kept diplomatic channels open.

• Military Plans Kept Secret:
  The administration committed to not briefing Gulf allies on military plans, maintaining operational secrecy.

• Ball in Iran's Court:
  Administration and diplomatic voices urged Iran to de-escalate, warning that U.S. patience is finite.

  Notable Quotes:

  • Unnamed U.S. official:

    "You could make a negotiated deal that would be satisfactory with no nuclear weapons… they are talking to us."
    (02:41)

  • U.S. Ambassador to NATO, Matt Whitaker:

    "The Iranians could de escalate very easily and simply and we'll see the balls in their court. But you know, President Trump is not going to be forever patient on this."
    (03:03)

5. Grammy Awards Highlights & Political Fallout

• Kendrick Lamar Makes History:

  • Won Best Rap Album for "GNX"; broke Jay Z's record for most Grammys by a rapper.
  • Won Record of the Year for "Luther" with SZA.

• Bad Bunny’s Big Night:

  • Won Album of the Year and Best Musica Urbana Album for "dtmf."

• Other Notable Wins:

  • Olivia Dean: Best New Artist; Billie Eilish: Song of the Year (“Wildflowers”); Jelly Roll: Best Contemporary Country Album; Lady Gaga: Best Pop Vocal Album (“Mayhem”).

• Artists Use Platform for Advocacy:
  Several artists, including Olivia Dean and Billie Eilish, spoke out against ICE during their acceptance speeches.

• Trump’s Response:
  President Trump blasted the Grammys on social media, denouncing the show and threatening legal action against host Trevor Noah over comments tying the President to Jeffrey Epstein.

  Notable Quote:

  • Trump’s social media reaction:

    "The awards show [is] the worst virtually unwatchable, [and] criticized Grammys host Trevor Noah for suggesting he and former President Bill Clinton spend time on Jeffrey Epstein's private island. The president threatening to sue Noah over the comments."
    (04:07)

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Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• Senator Ron Johnson on immigration and crime:
  (00:20)

  "I wish the Democrats would be as upset about the deaths of Lincoln Riley and Rachel Morin and the many, many, many, many others who have been victimized by crimes committed by illegal immigrants."

• President Trump on federal response to protests:
  (00:49)

  "Under no circumstances are we going to participate in various poorly run Democrat cities with regard to their protests and or riots unless and until they ask us for help."

• Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin on measles outbreak:
  (01:16)

  "Individuals suspected of making contact with the infected have been quarantined and they're ceasing all movement within the facility."

• U.S. official on negotiating with Iran:
  (02:41)

  "You could make a negotiated deal that would be satisfactory with no nuclear weapons… they are talking to us."

• Matt Whitaker, U.S. Ambassador to NATO, on Iran crisis:
  (03:03)

  "President Trump is not going to be forever patient on this."

• President Trump’s reaction to the Grammys:
  (04:07)

  "The awards show the worst virtually unwatchable," and a warning to host Trevor Noah regarding Epstein comments.

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:03–00:33 — Senate spending package and Senator Ron Johnson on immigration
• 00:33–01:06 — House outlook, Speaker Johnson’s confidence, and President Trump’s directive on city protests
• 01:06–01:56 — Measles outbreak quarantines at Texas ICE facility; situation with detained families
• 02:32–03:21 — Trump’s stance on Iran, diplomatic overtures, and military planning
• 03:21–04:07 — Grammy Awards results, on-stage advocacy, and Trump’s criticism of the event

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Summary

This episode delivers a concise, punchy sweep of developing national and global stories. Centering on high-stakes budget negotiations amid a government shutdown, it highlights the interplay between party leaders and the White House over immigration funding and law enforcement. The episode transitions to public safety challenges, illustrated by a measles outbreak inside a key Texas ICE facility. On foreign policy, it explores the U.S. posture toward escalating tensions with Iran, emphasizing restrained but stern rhetoric. The cast closes with a look at the Grammy Awards—spotlighting historic wins, artist activism, and a fiery presidential response—demonstrating how American politics and culture remain deeply interlinked.

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Transcript

[Ted Lindner]

Hoping to get a deal. I'm Ted Lindner. FOX News. As another partial shutdown is underway, the Senate passed a spending package in a 7129 vote to fund the government ahead of the shutdown after Democrats promised not to vote for a bill that would deliver funding to the Homeland Security Department. Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson weighing in Sunday.

[Ron Johnson]

I wish the Democrats would be as upset about the deaths of Lincoln Riley and Rachel Morin and the many, many, many, many others who have been victimized by crimes committed by illegal immigrants.

[Ted Lindner]

Now, the House still needs to vote on the bill. Speaker Mike Johnson is confident it'll pass. The package only funds Department of Homeland Security for two weeks. Fox's Brooke Taylor says overall was a quieter day for ICE protests Sunday as President Trump announced he's changing how the federal government will respond to unrest in some cities.

[Donald Trump]

He wrote this on Truth Social. I've instructed Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem and that under no circumstances are we going to participate in various poorly run Democrat cities with regard to their protests and or riots unless and until they ask us for help.

[Ted Lindner]

And in Texas, an ICE facility says no one's getting in or out due to measles. It's the same facility that just released five year old Liam Ramos and his father. Fox's Jill Nadeau with more.

[Jill Nadeau]

The Dilley Immigration processing center about 70 miles south of San Antonio has a problem. Homeland Security assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin says the Texas Department of State Health Services confirmed active measles infections of two detainees. She says individuals suspected of making contact with the infected have been quarantined and they're ceasing all movement within the facility. Dilly's the same place it was holding preschooler Liam Conejo Ramos and his father. The two were just returned to their home in Minnesota. But migrant advocacy groups are saying many other children and families are still at Dilley.

[Ted Lindner]

America's listening to Fox.

[Brooke Taylor]

FOX News.

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[Brooke Taylor]

Well.

[Ted Lindner]

President Trump's now ruling out military strikes on Iran amid a heavy crackdown on anti government protesters. There Fox's Dana Marie McNichol reports. The president says he's still open to a deal.

[Unnamed Commentator]

You could make a negotiated deal that would be satisfactory with no nuclear weapons. That said they should do that, but I don't know that they will. But they are talking to us.

[Matt Whitaker]

Trump has made it clear that military planning is happening, confirming that the ships are heading in that direction. The U.S. ambassador to NATO, Matt Whitaker, spoke on military presence in the Middle East.

[Ron Johnson]

The Iranians could de escalate very easily and simply and we'll see the balls in their court. But you know, President Trump is not going to be forever patient on this.

[Matt Whitaker]

Details about military action are being closely guarded. President Trump says the United States will not share military plans with Gulf allies.

[Ted Lindner]

The winners for music's biggest night are now all in.

[Brooke Taylor]

Kendrick Lamar made Grammy history at the 68th annual Grammy Awards, winning Best Rap Album for GNX and breaking Jay Z's record for most Grammy wins by a rapper. He also took home record of the year with SZA for Luther. But the nice biggest winner was Bad Bunny taking album of the year and best Musica Urbana album for dtmf.

[Unnamed Commentator]

I'm gonna say Ice out clip courtesy.

[Brooke Taylor]

Of CBS and Recording Academy. Bad Bunny wasn't the only artist to speak out against ice. British artists Olivia Dean, who won best new artist, and Billie Eilish, honored first song of the year for Wildflowers, also addressed the issue. Jelly Roll won his first ever Grammy for best contemporary country album for Beautifully Broken. And Lady Gaga took home best pop vocal album for Mayhem.

[Ted Lindner]

Michelle Palino, FOX News President Trump reacting to the Grammys in a true social post early this morning, the president called the awards show the worst virtually unwatchable, criticized Grammys host Trevor Noah for suggesting he and former President Bill Clinton spend time on Jeffrey Epstein's private island. The president threatening to sue Noah over the comments. I'm Ted Lindner. This is fox.

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