4PM ET 03/13/2026 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update: 4PM ET 03/13/2026 Newscast

Date: March 13, 2026
Host: Melissa Brady (with reports from Jennifer Griffin, Nate Foy, Ainsley Earhart, Kristen Goodwin, and others)

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Episode Overview

This newscast provides a comprehensive update on major national and international news, including U.S. military movements in the Middle East, political tensions involving Iran, domestic policy developments on home affordability, a new high-profile shooting case, disruptions at TSA over a DHS funding freeze, and a legal battle over subpoenas related to a new Federal Reserve headquarters.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. U.S. Military Reinforcements in the Middle East

• Pentagon Deployment:
  • The Pentagon is sending the USS Tripoli, a Marine Amphibious Ready Group, and the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (approx. 2,500 U.S. Marines and 2,500 sailors) to the Middle East.
  • The USS Tripoli is stationed in Japan and will take about two weeks to arrive.
  • “The Pentagon is sending the USS Tripoli, a Marine Amphibious Ready Group and the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, about 2500 U.S. marines and 2500 sailors to the Middle East.” – Jennifer Griffin [00:09]
• Escalation Context:
  • More than 15,000 targets have been struck by the U.S. and Israeli forces so far.

2. Al Quds Day Demonstrations in Tehran

• Large-Scale Demonstrations:
  • Thousands gathered for Al Quds Day to show support for Palestinians and protest Israel.
  • American flags were burned, and several key Iranian leaders made appearances.
  • “Thousands rallied in Tehran today for Al Quds Day. It's a day of demonstrations in support of the Palestinians and against Israel.” – Nate Foy [00:38]
• Aftermath of Operation Epic Fury:
  • Despite recent Iranian leadership losses, President Masut Pezeshkian appeared publicly.

3. Updates on Iranian Leadership and U.S. Vice President's Comments

• Supreme Leader Injured:
  • U.S. Vice President J.D. V states U.S. intelligence is aware Iran's new Supreme Leader is injured; severity unknown after fatal strikes on his family.
  • “...the U.S. knows that Iran's new supreme leader is injured but doesn't know how badly after the strikes that killed his father, mother, wife and a son early on in the fighting.” – Melissa Brady [00:57]
• Vice President’s Agenda:
  • While in North Carolina, touts the Trump economic legacy, notably last year's "big beautiful bill," a major tax cut for those earning under $100k.
  • “Biggest tax cut for people making under $100,000 that we have ever seen in tax legislation in this country.” – Vice President J.D. V (reported by Nate Foy) [01:20]
• Ongoing Political Divide:
  • Democrats blame administration policies (tariffs, military conflicts) for increased costs.

4. Presidential Action on Home Affordability

• Executive Orders Signed:
  • One order to reduce federal regulatory burdens on housing.
  • Another to ease mortgage approval hurdles, enabling community banks to issue more home loans.
  • “The president just signing a pair of executive orders aimed at help to address home affordability concerns.” – Melissa Brady [01:27]

5. Stock Market Update

• Stock Decline:
  • The Dow fell by 117 points at closing.

6. Shooting at Old Dominion University

• Gun-Related Charges:
  • An accomplice faces federal charges for buying a gun for the ODU shooter—a naturalized U.S. citizen, ex-National Guard member, and convicted felon previously linked to ISIS.
  • Shooter allegedly sought out ROTC students before opening fire; killed an instructor, wounded two, subdued and killed by students.
  • “Shooter wanted to know if ROTC students were in the classroom before opening fire.” – Melissa Brady [02:15]

7. TSA Worker Shortages Amid DHS Shutdown

• Widespread Impact:
  • Over 300 TSA workers have quit since DHS funding halted in mid-February; tens of thousands still unpaid.
  • Increased sick-outs cause longer security lines and wait times.
  • TSA Officer Deondra White’s testimony:
    • “We are hurting and we deserve to be compensated for what we do. And I hope that we are heard because I think a lot of us are feeling very, very distressed.” – Deondra White [03:11]
• Funding Standoff:
  • Senate Democrats want ICE reforms before funding DHS; Republicans block bill.
  • Attempt to fund DHS without ICE also blocked by GOP.
  • “Senate Democrats won Immigration and Customs Enforcement reforms before funding DHS. The chamber blocking another bill to fund the agency Thursday.” – Ainsley Earhart [03:19]

8. Justice Department Legal Battle Over Fed HQ Subpoenas

• Contested Ruling:
  • DOJ to appeal a judge’s decision striking down subpoenas in an investigation of possible fraud and cost overruns for a new Federal Reserve headquarters.
  • D.C. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro labels the judge an “activist” who is blocking grand jury access.
  • Judge Boasberg’s rationale: substantial evidence the subpoenas sought to pressure the Fed to cut rates.
  • “This judge has put himself at the entrance door to the grand jury slamming that door shut.” – Jeanine Pirro (paraphrased by Melissa Brady) [03:35]

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• “The Pentagon is sending the USS Tripoli… about 2500 U.S. marines and 2500 sailors to the Middle East.” – Jennifer Griffin [00:09]
• “Thousands rallied in Tehran today for Al Quds Day… Several American flags were burned during this.” – Nate Foy [00:38]
• “...the U.S. knows that Iran's new supreme leader is injured but doesn't know how badly after the strikes…” – Melissa Brady [00:57]
• “Biggest tax cut for people making under $100,000 that we have ever seen in tax legislation in this country.” – Vice President J.D. V (via Nate Foy) [01:20]
• “We are hurting and we deserve to be compensated for what we do. And I hope that we are heard because I think a lot of us are feeling very, very distressed.” – Deondra White, TSA Officer [03:11]
• “This judge has put himself at the entrance door to the grand jury slamming that door shut.” – Jeanine Pirro (paraphrased) [03:35]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:09 – Pentagon sends more forces to Middle East (Jennifer Griffin)
• 00:38 – Tehran’s Al Quds Day demonstrations & aftermath of Operation Epic Fury (Nate Foy)
• 00:57 – Iranian supreme leader injured & Vice President’s economic agenda (Melissa Brady & Nate Foy)
• 01:27 – Home affordability executive orders (Melissa Brady)
• 02:15 – Old Dominion University shooting update (Melissa Brady)
• 02:52 – TSA shutdown, worker resignations, and labor unrest (Ainsley Earhart & Deondra White)
• 03:19 – DHS funding fight breakdown (Ainsley Earhart)
• 03:35 – DOJ appeals subpoena ruling in Fed HQ case (Melissa Brady)

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Summary

This episode covers major U.S. geopolitical maneuvers, Middle East tensions, high-profile domestic news, and sharp political divides over budgeting and law enforcement. It is marked by on-the-ground reports, firsthand accounts, and the typical brisk, matter-of-fact reporting style of FOX News, delivering a snapshot of a tense and rapidly evolving global and domestic landscape.

Transcript

[Melissa Brady]

More options for the commander in chief. Melissa Brady, FOX News. As the Pentagon sends more U.S. forces to the Middle East.

[Jennifer Griffin]

The Pentagon is sending the USS Tripoli, a Marine Amphibious Ready Group and the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, about 2500 U.S. marines and 2500 sailors to the Middle East. The Tripoli is stationed out of Japan and it would take about two weeks to arrive in the Middle East.

[Melissa Brady]

Fox's Jennifer Griffin. The U.S. and Israel hitting more than 15,000 targets so far. But a big turnout in Iran's capital for annual demonstrations organized by the government.

[Nate Foy]

Thousands rallied in Tehran today for Al Quds Day. It's a day of demonstrations in support of the Palestinians and against Israel. Several American flags were burned during this. Several Iranian leaders made public appearances, including President Masut Pezeshkian, despite several Iranian leaders being killed during Operation Epic Fury.

[Melissa Brady]

Fox's Nate Foy in Tel Aviv. The Iranian president walking down a street in broad daylight. Vice President J.D. v just telling reporters the U.S. knows that Iran's new supreme leader is injured but doesn't know how badly after the strikes that killed his father, mother, wife and a son early on in the fighting. The vice president visiting North Carolina touting the Trump economic agenda, including last year's big beautiful bill.

[Nate Foy]

Biggest tax cut for people making under $100,000 that we have ever seen in tax legislation in this country.

[Melissa Brady]

Democrats argue the president sending costs higher with tariffs and fighting in the Middle East. The president just signing a pair of executive orders aimed at help to address home affordability concerns. One order aims to reduce the government's own regulatory burdens. The other to reduce the regulatory hurdles tied to mortgages, making it easier for smaller community banks to provide home loans. Stocks sink The Dow down 117 points at the bell. America is listening to FOX News.

[Jennifer Griffin]

This is Ainsley Earhart.

[Ainsley Earhart]

Thank you for joining me for the

[Jennifer Griffin]

52 episode podcast series the Life of Jesus.

[Nate Foy]

A listening experience that will provide hope, comfort, understanding of the greatest story ever told. Listen and follow [e-mail] or wherever you listen to podcasts.

[Melissa Brady]

A man accused of buying a gun for the Old Dominion University shooter is now facing federal charges. The shooter, a naturalized U.S. citizen and former Army National Guard member, was a convicted felon not allowed to have a gun after pleading guilty in an ISIS related case in 2017. Also getting reports the shooter wanted to know if ROTC students were in the classroom before opening fire. Yesterday he killed an instructor and wounded two others before students subdued him and he was killed. TSA workers are missing their first full paychecks as the Department of Homeland Security funding freeze continues.

[Ainsley Earhart]

More than 300 TSA workers have reportedly quit since the DHS shutdown began in mid February as tens of thousands go without pay, some are calling out sick, leading to longer airport security lines and wait times. TSA Officer Deondra White is still turning up to work at Washington, DC's Reagan National Airport.

[Deondra White]

We are hurting and we deserve to be compensated for what we do. And I hope that we are heard because I think a lot of us are feeling very, very distressed.

[Ainsley Earhart]

Senate Democrats won Immigration and Customs Enforcement reforms before funding dhs. The chamber blocking another bill to fund the agency Thursday. And Republicans blocked a Democratic plan to fund everything at DHS except for ice. Kristen Goodwin, FOX News.

[Melissa Brady]

The Justice Department will appeal a federal judge's ruling tossing out subpoenas in a probe federal prosecutors insist is about potential fraud and cost overruns on a new fed headquarters building. D.C. u.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro moments ago calling Judge James Boasberg an activist judge. This judge has put himself at the entrance door to the grand jury slamming that door shut. In his ruling, Boasberg says a mountain of evidence suggests the purpose of the subpoenas was to pressure the Fed to cut interest rates. I'm Lisa Brady. This is FOX News.