Fox News Hourly Update – 4AM ET 10/08/2025 Newscast

Host: Sue Guzman
Date: October 8, 2025
Main Theme:
An urgent update on the federal deployment of the National Guard to Illinois amid anti-ICE protests, major developments regarding government shutdown negotiations, political fallout over DOJ investigations, and other pressing national stories.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. National Guard Deployed to Illinois Amid Protests

• Texas National Guard Arrival
  • Context: National Guard troops from Texas arrive in Illinois to quell ongoing anti-ICE protests.
  • Details: About 200 troops have arrived at an army training facility near Joliet, southwest of Chicago.
  • Local Backlash: Chicago leadership is strongly opposed to federalized Guard presence.
• Legal and Political Pushback
  • Quote: “President is determined to federalize the National Guard to occupy our cities with the military. It's unconscionable. It's unthinkable.”
    — [Speaker Unattributed Chicago Leader, 00:28]
  • Illinois AG Kwame Raoul seeks immediate court intervention; District Judge April Perry denies, giving the Trump administration until the next day to clarify details.
• National Guard Cases in Other States
  • Over the weekend, federal courts blocked deployment in Portland, Oregon.
  • Ongoing legal and political maneuvering nationwide.

2. DOJ, Political Probes, and Special Counsel Calls

• Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing
  • Attorney General Pam Bondi appears before the committee, grilled on DOJ actions.
  • Key Investigations: FBI surveillance of Republican lawmakers’ communications during Jack Smith’s Capitol riot probe is under scrutiny.
• Senator Hawley's Demand
  • Quote: “Senator Josh Hawley wants answers about why, according to the FBI, he and several Republican lawmakers had their phone calls tracked during Jack Smith's probe of the Capitol riot... calling for a special counsel.”
    — [Kevin Corke, 01:06]
• Broader DOJ Controversies
  • Democrats and Republicans clash over politicization of the DOJ, high-profile cases (Epstein, Comey), and ongoing legal debates tied to National Guard deployments.

3. Special Election Results

• Tennessee Special Election
  • Matt Von Epps, Trump-endorsed, wins the GOP primary for a congressional seat vacated by Mark Green.
  • Democratic nominee: Afton Ben 1.

4. Government Shutdown Stalemate

• One Week Into Shutdown
  • Positions:
    • Republicans (Speaker Mike Johnson) push for a "clean" spending bill.
    • Democrats refuse without a permanent extension of ACA tax credits.
• Affordable Care Act Tax Credits
  • Quote: “What I'm saying is that we have an open mind as it relates to an extension of the Affordable Care act tax credits based on the merits of what is presented in good faith.”
    — [Hakeem Jeffries, 03:04]
  • 22 million people could see premium hikes if credits expire.
• Impact on Government Workers
  • Air traffic controllers and other employees working without pay.

5. Airport Operations & Staffing Problems (Due to Shutdown)

• Delays and Staffing Shortages
  • Notable delays in Chicago, Boston, Houston; major disruptions in Nashville and Memphis.
  • Quote: "Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy acknowledged the government shutdown is adding stress to air traffic controllers, leading to a rise in sick calls. He says some are even considering taking a second job as they worry about missing future paychecks."
    — [Jeff Palm, 03:35]
• Broader Impact: Shutdown-related hardships ripple through the transportation sector.

6. Weather Alert: Tropical Storm Jerry

• Storm Update
  • Tropical Storm Jerry in the Atlantic, heading for the Caribbean.
  • Watch posted for Barbuda and Saint Martin.
  • Maximum sustained winds: 50 mph, expected to strengthen into a hurricane.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On National Guard Deployment:
  • "President is determined to federalize the National Guard to occupy our cities with the military. It's unconscionable. It's unthinkable." — [Chicago Leader, 00:28]
• On DOJ Investigations:
  • “Senator Josh Hawley wants answers about why... he and several Republican lawmakers had their phone calls tracked during Jack Smith's probe of the Capitol riot..." — [Kevin Corke, 01:06]
• On Government Shutdown Negotiations:
  • “What I'm saying is that we have an open mind as it relates to an extension of the Affordable Care act tax credits based on the merits of what is presented in good faith.” — [Hakeem Jeffries, 03:04]
• On Airport Strain:
  • “…the government shutdown is adding stress to air traffic controllers, leading to a rise in sick calls. He says some are even considering taking a second job…” — [Jeff Palm, 03:35]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:02] – National Guard deployment in Illinois
• [01:06] – DOJ political probe hearing, Senate Judiciary Committee
• [01:42] – Tennessee special election result
• [02:31] – Shutdown standoff: Congressional negotiations
• [03:16] – Consequences for Affordable Care Act recipients
• [03:28] – Airport operations, rising delays and staffing shortages
• [04:08] – Tropical Storm Jerry update

Tone & Style

The episode delivers urgent, fact-based reporting with moments of dramatic language, direct quotes from officials, and the signature Fox News combative political framing. The coverage moves quickly between legal showdowns, political disputes, and the real-world consequences playing out from Washington to local airports. The tone is brisk, serious, and squarely focused on contentious developments in national politics and their on-the-ground impacts.