Summary4 min read

Fox News Hourly Update – 5AM ET 01/13/2026 Newscast

Host: FOX News Podcasts
Date: January 13, 2026
Summary by: Podcast Summarizer

Overview

This Fox News Hourly Update delivers breaking national and international stories, focusing on escalating U.S.-Iran tensions, controversy at the Federal Reserve, federal actions in Minnesota regarding welfare fraud, and ongoing debates about U.S. tariff policy. The tone throughout is brisk, urgent, and direct, reflecting the format of an early-morning radio newscast.

Key Discussion Points

1. U.S. Increases Pressure on Iran

Economic Pressure & Tariffs
- President Trump imposes 25% tariffs on goods from nations trading with Iran, aiming to punish the regime's crackdown on anti-government protests.
  - “Iran’s trading partners will face a 25% tariff on goods imported to the U.S.,” – Jared Halperin [00:14]
Potential Military Threats
- President Trump warns of potential military action if Iran continues to suppress dissent violently.
Diplomatic Overtures
- White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt notes that, despite public hostility, Iranian officials have privately reached out for possible talks.
  - “Expressing a far different tone than what you’re seeing publicly…” – Jared Halperin [00:32]
Iranian Warnings
- Iranian leaders caution that U.S. military bases could become legitimate targets if America intervenes.
Communication Blackouts & Death Toll
- Mobile service is partially restored in Iran after recent government-imposed shutdowns during protest crackdowns.
- Estimates suggest 650 deaths in recent demonstrations.
  - “Corn estimates as many as 650 people may have been killed by Iranian security forces so far.” – Ted Lindner [00:44]

2. Federal Reserve Investigation

Powell’s Testimony & Administration Pressure
- President Trump claims ignorance of a criminal investigation into Fed Chairman Jerome Powell regarding cost overruns in Federal Reserve building renovations.
- Grand jury subpoenas focus on June Senate testimony, where Powell defended renovation costs exceeding $2.6 billion.
Powell’s Response
- “I have carried out my duties without political fear or favor.” – Jerome Powell [01:07]
- Powell suggests that threats of criminal charges are retaliation for the Fed setting interest rates independently.
  - “The threat of criminal charges is a consequence of the Federal Reserve setting interest rates based on our best assessment of what will serve the public, rather than following the preferences of the president.” – Jerome Powell [01:29]
Renovation Controversy
- Contested expenses include VIP elevators, marble roofs, and terrace gardens.
Justice Department Stance
- DOJ pledges to prioritize investigations into any abuse of taxpayer funds.

3. DHS & ICE Operations in Minnesota

Federal Response to Alleged Daycare Fraud
- Department of Homeland Security (DHS) increases agent deployment amid reports—initially sparked by a viral conservative influencer video—of widespread welfare fraud.
- Payments for childcare programs in Minnesota and other states paused.
State AG Response
- Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison files a lawsuit challenging DHS actions.
  - “End the DHS unlawful behavior in our state. The intimidation, the threats, the violence.” – Keith Ellison [02:48]
ICE Director’s Rebuttal
- “You know, that’s 100% false...we conduct targeted enforcement so we know exactly who we’re going after.” – Todd Lyons [03:01]
Political and Legal Fallout
- Rep. Ilhan Omar criticizes federal probe as disruptive; Rep. Wesley Hunt accuses Omar of questionable financial dealings and argues that more investigations are necessary.
  - “The idea that we are discovering fraud at the federal level…Ilhan Omar makes about $174,000 a year, but somehow…she is worth $30 million allegedly, which should be investigated…” – Wesley Hunt [03:40]

4. Tariffs & Supreme Court Challenge

Trump’s Economic Warning
- President Trump warns of a “financial disaster” should the Supreme Court overturn global tariffs; claims the government might have to repay tariff revenue.
- “The government could be forced to repay hundreds of billions of dollars in tariff revenue.” – Ted Lindner [03:56]
- To date, tariffs have raised $215 billion.
Pending Legal Decision
- Supreme Court ruling on the tariffs is expected as soon as Wednesday.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Jared Halperin on diplomacy:
“Expressing a far different tone than what you’re seeing publicly…” [00:32]
Jerome Powell on central bank independence:
“I have carried out my duties without political fear or favor.” [01:07]
“The threat of criminal charges is a consequence of the Federal Reserve setting interest rates based on our best assessment of what will serve the public…” [01:29]
ICE’s Todd Lyons defending his agency:
“That’s 100% false…we conduct targeted enforcement so we know exactly who we’re going after…” [03:01]
Rep. Wesley Hunt on federal fraud investigations:
“Ilhan Omar makes about $174,000 a year, but somehow…she is worth $30 million allegedly, which should be investigated…” [03:40]

Important Timestamps

00:03 – Lead: Trump pressures Iran, new tariffs, and military threats
00:44 – Communication returns in Iran, protest death toll updates
01:07–01:29 – Fed Chairman Powell responds to investigation and defends his actions
02:32 – DHS increases presence in Minnesota over alleged welfare fraud, state sues federal government
03:01 – ICE Director rebuts charges of race-based enforcement
03:40 – Rep. Wesley Hunt’s comments on Ilhan Omar; federal fraud investigation
03:56 – Trump warns of consequences if Supreme Court strikes down tariffs

This concise newscast delivered a high-speed overview of major U.S. political and global events, focusing on escalating tensions with Iran, Federal Reserve autonomy under fire, aggressive federal action in Minnesota, and the Trump administration's tariff policy reaching a legal crossroads. The reporting alternated between direct news update, quotes from key officials, and pointed political commentary, offering listeners a snapshot of the morning’s most urgent stories.

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Transcript20 lines

[00:03]
A
More pressure on Iran. I'm Ted Lindner. Fox News. President Trump applying economic pressure on Iran as the regime cracks down on anti government protests. Fox's Jared Halperin's got more from the White House.
[00:14]
B
Iran's trading partners will face a 25% tariff on goods imported to the U.S. president Trump says as he threatens military strikes over Iran's response to protests across the country. Still, White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt says Iranian officials are reaching out to the administration to to set up talks.
[00:32]
C
Expressing a far different tone than what.
[00:35]
B
You'Re seeing publicly in public. Iranian leaders have warned US Intervention would make US Military bases legitimate targets. At the White House, Jared Halpern, Fox News.
[00:45]
A
Meanwhile, mobile services in Iran are partially back on assigned international calls are being allowed again after days of widespread restrictions during crackdowns on protests. Corn estimates as many as 650 people may have been killed by Iranian security forces so far. President Trump claims he was unaware about an investigation of the head of the Federal Reserve, Jerome Powell. Fox's Edward Lawrence I have carried out.
[01:07]
D
My duties without political fear or favor.
[01:10]
E
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell with a sharp response to the administration's threat of criminal charges. The Federal Reserve chairman confirmed criminal grand jury subpoenas arrived Friday over his testimony from a June Senate Banking Committee hearing where Powell defended the cost overruns in two Fed building renovations exceeding $2.6 billion.
[01:30]
D
Those are pretexts. The threat of criminal charges is a consequence of the Federal Reserve setting interest rates based on our best assessment of what will serve the public rather than following the preferences of the president.
[01:42]
E
During that hearing, Powell answered charges that the buildings were getting VIP elevators, new marble roof, terrace gardens and other special amenities.
[01:51]
A
The Justice Department says it's prioritizing investigations into any abuse of taxpayer dollars. America's listening to fo.
[02:02]
C
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[02:32]
A
The Department of Homeland Security plans to send more agents to Minneapolis amid ICE operations in response to claims of widespread welfare fraud. Minnesota's Democrat Attorney General Keith Ellison announced a lawsuit against dhs, saying he wants to end what he called a surge in personnel we asked the courts to.
[02:48]
F
End the DHS unlawful behavior in our state. The intimidation, the threats, the violence.
[02:55]
A
Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons responding to allegations by Minnesota's leaders that ICE is arresting people based on race.
[03:01]
G
You know that's 100% false. When ICE officers and ICE special agents are out there in the field, we conduct targeted enforcement so we know exactly who we're going after. So that's completely false and baseless.
[03:11]
A
This comments made on the Fox News Channel. ICE and DHS agents deployed in Minnesota after conservative influencer Nick Shirley's YouTube video alleging daycare fraud went viral. The federal government paused child care payments to Minnesota and other states. In response, federal agents continue to investigate alleged fraud in the state of Minnesota. Far left Congresswoman Elon Omar says the federal probe is causing confusion and chaos. But Republican Texas Congressman Wesley Hunt telling fox's Will Kane he thinks Omar does not serve America's interests.
[03:40]
F
The idea that we are discovering fraud at the federal level, the fact that Tim Walz is going to resign and not seek reelection, the fact that Ilhan OMAR makes about $174,000 a year, but somehow miracul she is worth $30 million allegedly, which should be investigated, is a problem.
[03:56]
A
The Trump administration suspending all USDA funding to Minnesota as the investigation into childcare programs across the state continues. And President Trump warning the US could face financial disaster if the Supreme Court strikes down his sweeping global tariffs on imports. Running on truth social, the president said the government could be forced to repay hundreds of billions of dollars in tariff revenue. The tariffs have generated a record $215 billion in revenue so far. The court could rule as early as Wednesday. I'm Ted Lindner and this is FOX News.
[04:29]
C
This is Ainsley Earhart. Thank you for joining me for the 52 episode podcast series the Life of.
[04:34]
D
Jesus, a listening experience that will provide hope, comfort and understanding of the greatest story ever told. Listen and follow now@foxnewspodcasts.com or wherever you listen to podcasts.