Summary4 min read

Fox News Hourly Update – 3AM ET 11/25/2025

Episode Overview
This Fox News Hourly Update delivers a fast-paced summary of the day's most pressing national and international news. In this episode, Ted Lindner and FOX correspondents discuss a major judicial decision involving James Comey and Letitia James, severe weather in Houston, President Trump's diplomatic outreach to China, contentious Ukraine peace talks, and a holiday tradition at the White House.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Judicial Decision: Comey and Letitia James Cases Dismissed

[00:03-01:14]
- Main Story: A federal judge appointed by President Clinton dismisses criminal charges against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James.
- White House and DOJ Reaction:
  - The White House accuses the judge of "playing politics."
  - US Attorney General Pam Bondi vows to "take all available legal action, including an immediate appeal."
    
    “We’ll be taking all available legal action, including an immediate appeal, to hold Letitia James and James Comey accountable for their unlawful conduct.”
    — Pam Bondi (quoted by Ted Lindner, 00:18)
- Comey's Response:
  
  “This case mattered to me personally, obviously. But it matters most because a message has to be sent that the president of the United States cannot use the Department of Justice to target his political enemies.”
  — James Comey (00:34)
- Mark Meredith (Fox Correspondent):
  - Notes DOJ plans to appeal.
  - Explains charges against Comey originated from a 2020 case where Comey pleaded guilty to lying to Congress, though his legal team claims prosecutorial overreach.

2. Tornado Strikes Houston

[01:14-01:59]
- Incident Summary: Over 100 homes damaged in Houston from what is suspected to be a tornado.
- Eyewitness Account: A local resident describes the chaos:
  
  “I see it start spinning and then I see the spiral coming down and then stuff just starts flying past my head. A garbage bin flew past me.”
  — Unnamed Witness (01:28)
- Impact: No injuries reported. The National Weather Service to assess damage and tornado strength later today.

3. Curtis Sliwa Accused of Not Paying Campaign Workers

[01:50-01:59]
- Report: New York Post alleges Curtis Sliwa failed to pay workers from his past mayoral campaign.
- Sliwa’s Response: He claims all workers will be paid soon.

4. US-China Diplomatic Developments

[03:38-04:12]
- Phone Call: President Trump has a phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
- Upcoming Diplomatic Visits:
  - Trump to visit Beijing in April.
  - Xi invited to the US for a state visit next year.

5. Ukraine Peace Negotiations and Controversy

[03:38-04:40]
- Event: American, Ukrainian, and European leaders meet in Geneva to discuss ending the war in Ukraine.
- Ukraine’s Stance: President Zelensky opposes a US-backed plan that includes ceding land to Russia.
  
  “Putin wants legal recognition for what he has stolen. To break the principle of territorial integrity and sovereignty.”
  — Peter Doocy (04:13)
- Political Tensions:
  - US Vice President J.D. Vance is “annoyed” at political pushback domestically.
  - Democrats argue the peace plan doesn't prioritize Ukraine’s needs.
    
    “The Russians get a vote here, right?”
    — Ted Lindner (04:23)
  - Ukraine constitutionally requires a referendum for border changes. Zelensky promises not to cede land.

6. White House Thanksgiving Tradition

[05:09-05:25]
- Turkey Pardon: President Trump to pardon two turkeys, Gobble and Waddle, with involvement from Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins.
- Names Chosen By First Lady: Melania Trump conducted a poll for the turkeys’ names.

Notable Quotes

| Timestamp | Quote | Speaker | |-----------|-------|---------| | 00:18 | “We’ll be taking all available legal action, including an immediate appeal, to hold Letitia James and James Comey accountable for their unlawful conduct.” | Pam Bondi (reported by Ted Lindner) | | 00:34 | “This case mattered to me personally, obviously. But it matters most because a message has to be sent that the president of the United States cannot use the Department of Justice to target his political enemies.” | James Comey | | 01:28 | “I see it start spinning and then I see the spiral coming down and then stuff just starts flying past my head. A garbage bin flew past me.” | Houston tornado witness | | 04:13 | “Putin wants legal recognition for what he has stolen. To break the principle of territorial integrity and sovereignty.” | Peter Doocy | | 04:23 | “The Russians get a vote here, right?” | Ted Lindner |

Key Timestamps

00:03–01:14: Judicial decision, DOJ reaction, Comey’s statement, Mark Meredith’s report
01:14–01:59: Houston tornado damages, witness account, no injuries
01:50–01:59: Curtis Sliwa campaign payment allegations
03:38–04:12: President Trump calls Xi Jinping, plans diplomatic visits
03:38–04:40: Ukraine peace talks, US plan controversy, Peter Doocy’s report
05:09–05:25: Thanksgiving turkey pardon at the White House

This concise update covers fast-breaking political and international news with a blend of quotes, analysis, and first-hand witness reports, delivered in Fox News’ signature brisk, urgent tone.

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Transcript11 lines

[00:03]
Ted Lindner
A judge makes a decision. I'm Ted Lindner. FOX News and the White House says that federal judge is playing politics after the Clinton appointed judge dismissed criminal cases against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Tish James. US Attorney General Pam Bondi reacting to the judge's decision on Monday, we'll be taking all available legal action, including an immediate appeal to hold Letitia James and James Comey accountable for their unlawful conduct. Former FBI Director James James Comey breathing a sigh of relief. This case mattered to me personally, obviously. But it matters most because a message has to be sent that the president of the United States cannot use the Department of Justice to target his political enemies. For more on the judge's ruling, here's fox's Mark Meredith.
[00:50]
Mark Meredith
The attorney general says the Justice Department will appeal the ruling by a federal judge dismissing charges against both New York's Attorney General Letitia James, as well as the former FBI director James Comey. Prosecutors charged Comey with lying to Congress back in 2020. He pled guilty and his legal team's been filing multiple motions trying to get the case thrown out, including claims the prosecutor who brought the charges did not have the authority to begin with.
[01:14]
Ted Lindner
Meantime, Officials say over 100 homes have been damaged after what was believed to be a tornado touched down in Houston on Monday. A witness says he was outside when debris started to float. I see it start spinning and then I see the spiral coming down and then stuff just starts flying past my head. A garbage bin flew past me. So far, no injuries have been reported. The National Weather Service is expected to survey the damage to determine the strength of the tornado later today. And the New York Post is reporting that Curtis Sliwa is facing accusations of stiffing workers on his failed New York City mayoral campaign out of thousands of dollars in back pay. Sliwa claims that they will be paid soon. America's listening to FOX News.
[01:59]
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[03:39]
Ted Lindner
President Trump holding a phone call Monday morning with Chinese President Xi Jinping and afterwards announced he would be heading to Beijing for a meeting in April. Furthermore, the President said he reciprocated by inviting Xi for a state visit to the US later next year. American and Ukrainian delegates meeting with European leaders in Geneva for peace talks on ending the war with Russia, but Ukraine's President Zelensky, not happy with the U. S backed plan to cede some of his country's land to Russia. Fox's Peter Doocy with more Putin wants legal recognition for what he has stolen.
[04:12]
Peter Doocy
To break the principle of territorial integrity and sovereignty. Some give and take will be necessary, according to the Secretary of State in Geneva leading negotiations.
[04:24]
Ted Lindner
The Russians get a vote here, right?
[04:25]
Peter Doocy
Vice President Vance is annoyed that the political class is really angry that the Trump administration may finally bring a four year conflict in Eastern Europe to a close as Democrats claim the US Isn't putting enough of a premium on Ukraine's needs.
[04:40]
Ted Lindner
Ukraine's constitution requires its people to pass a referendum to change its borders. President Zelensky vowed not to give up land and President Trump once promised he wouldn't have to. The American peace plan taking criticism due to its terms that can be seen as being more favorable to Russia. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said it was made with input from both countries and President Trump said to pardon two lucky turkeys ahead of Thanksgiving with some help from the Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins. Fox's Ryan Schmelz with more details at the White House.
[05:10]
Ryan Schmelz
Gobble and Waddle are the names of the two Thanksgiving turkeys who will get an official pardon from President Trump. Gobble and Waddle hail from North Carolina and received their names through a poll conducted by first lady Melania Trump where voters were able to decide from a list of names at the White House.
[05:26]
Ted Lindner
Ryan Schmell's FOX News Thanksgiving now just two days away. I'm Ted Litner. This is FOX News. This is Ainsley Earhart. Thank you for joining me for the 52 episode podcast series the Life of Jesus, A listening experience that will provide hope, comfort and understanding of the greatest story ever told. Listen and follow starting November 30th on foxnewspodcasts.com.