Fox News Hourly Update – 4AM ET, April 2, 2026

Host: Sue Guzman (FOX News Podcasts)
Date: April 2, 2026

Episode Overview

This fast-paced news bulletin spotlights the latest world and national events, focusing on developments in the Iran conflict, a historic NASA moon mission, major Supreme Court deliberations, Congressional action on Homeland Security funding, and shifting US-Venezuela relations.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Ongoing Iran Conflict and President Trump’s Statements

[00:03–00:52]

• President Trump declared that US and Israeli forces have largely dismantled Iran’s naval and defense infrastructure, but emphasized continued military action for several more weeks.
• Asserted that, “We're going to hit them extremely hard over the next two to three weeks. We're going to bring them back to the Stone Ages where they belong.” (President Trump, [00:31])
• Despite his claims of ongoing ceasefire talks, Iran disputes the progress or extent of these negotiations.

Notable Quote:
“We're going to hit them extremely hard over the next two to three weeks. We're going to bring them back to the Stone Ages where they belong.”
— President Trump ([00:31])

2. Reopening the Strait of Hormuz

[00:52–01:00]

• 35 nations will meet to discuss reopening the vital Strait of Hormuz, largely closed to shipping since the conflict began, affecting global energy and trade routes.

3. NASA’s Historic Artemis 2 Moon Mission

[01:00–01:56]

• NASA launched its first crewed lunar mission in over 50 years: Artemis 2.
• Four astronauts are on a ten-day test journey around the moon, launched from Kennedy Space Center at 6:35pm.
• The mission tests systems necessary for more complex future lunar expeditions; the splashdown is anticipated off San Diego in April.

Notable Details:
“NASA said this will help test the systems and hardware needed to continue sending astronauts on increasingly difficult missions to explore more of the moon for scientific discovery.”
— Brandi Campbell ([01:42])

4. Supreme Court Considers Birthright Citizenship Ban

[02:40–03:27]

• SCOTUS heard oral arguments on President Trump’s executive order to ban automatic citizenship for children born in the US.
• ACLU attorney Cecilia Wong argued the ban would make existing laws “senseless” and could affect millions' citizenship status.
• Government lawyers called for a reconsideration of the 14th Amendment's historic interpretation.
• President Trump was present at the Supreme Court, marking the first such attendance by a sitting president for oral arguments.

Memorable Quote:
“Swathes of American laws would be rendered senseless. Thousands of American babies will immediately lose their citizenship.”
— Cecilia Wong, ACLU ([03:01])

5. Congressional Agreement on DHS Funding

[03:27–04:16]

• House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune reached an agreement, with Trump’s backing, to fund all of DHS except ICE and CBP.
• Echoes a previously Democratic-supported Senate bill rejected by Johnson hours after passage; he now supports a similar measure.
• Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, claimed victory, stating “House Republicans caved.”
• The DHS shutdown, the longest on record, may end soon with Trump stating he wants the bill signed by June 1.

6. US Lifts Sanctions on Venezuela’s Acting President

[04:16–04:36]

• The US lifted sanctions against Venezuela’s acting president, Delsey Rodriguez, enabling her to engage more freely with US companies and investors.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• “We're going to hit them extremely hard over the next two to three weeks...”
  — President Trump ([00:31])
• “Thousands of American babies will immediately lose their citizenship.”
  — Cecilia Wong, ACLU ([03:01])
• President Trump’s attendance at Supreme Court oral arguments — a first for a sitting US president ([03:17])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Iran Conflict, Trump’s Statement: [00:03–00:52]
• Strait of Hormuz/NASA Artemis 2 Launch: [00:52–01:56]
  • Artemis 2 Launch Details: [01:15–01:56]
• Supreme Court – Birthright Citizenship Case: [02:40–03:27]
• Congressional DHS Funding Progress: [03:27–04:16]
• US-Venezuela Sanctions Lift: [04:16–04:36]

Tone & Style

• Informative, direct, and urgent; mirrors the breaking-news broadcast tone of Fox News with concise reports and brief direct quotes.
• Heavily sourced from official statements and live coverage, focusing on factual reporting and notable political developments.

This summary delivers a comprehensive briefing for listeners to understand the main stories and their significance, even without hearing the broadcast.