5AM ET 12/03/2025 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update — 5AM ET 12/03/2025

Main Theme:
This newscast delivers concise updates on major US political developments, recent military actions, international conflicts, prominent criminal cases, and a notable executive decision by former President Trump.

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Key News Segments & Insights

1. Republican Victory in Tennessee’s Special Election

[00:02–00:25]

• Matt Van Epps (Republican) wins the 7th Congressional District against Democrat Afton Bain during a special election.
• The race drew national attention—Van Epps thanks President Trump for his support.
• Rep. Jeanine Pirro underscores Trump’s involvement:
  • "President Trump was all in with us." (Jeanine Pirro, 00:17)
  • "I'll be all in with him." (Jeanine Pirro, 00:23)
• The win allows Republicans to maintain a narrow 219-213 majority in the House.

2. Controversy over US Strikes on Venezuelan Drug Boat

[00:25–01:19]

• The Pentagon conducted two strikes on an alleged Venezuelan drug boat in the Caribbean.
• Bipartisan skepticism emerges regarding the strikes’ authorization and motives.
• Chad Pergram reports that Admiral Frank Bradley ordered the strikes and is set to testify before lawmakers.
• A Republican lawmaker voices concern:
  • "This is wartime." (Unnamed Republican, 00:49)
  • "Why not have a declaration of war?" (Chad Pergram quoting, 00:50)
  • Response suggests frustration over unclear war policies and promises actions would be "very quick." (Unnamed Republican, 00:54)
• Threats of a war powers vote loom if the administration continues unauthorized military actions.

3. Russia–US Talks on Ukraine War

[01:19–01:30]

• Russian adviser reports "productive" talks with the US regarding ending the Ukraine war, but concedes "a lot of work still remains."
• President Putin met with Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff.
• Noted that February 2026 will mark four years since the conflict began.

4. Rafah Crossing Between Gaza and Egypt to Reopen

[01:30–01:49]

• Israel announces Rafah crossing will soon reopen for Gaza residents to enter Egypt, after closure since May 2024.
• Opening to be coordinated with Egypt, given recent Israeli security clearance.
• No specific reopening date given.

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Major Domestic Crime Updates

5. Afghan National Pleads Not Guilty in Fatal DC Shooting

[02:58–03:37]

• Ramanula Laconwell pleads not guilty in the shooting of two National Guard soldiers, one fatally.
• Charges: First-degree murder, assault with intent to kill, and firearm possession.
• Plea entered remotely from hospital.
• D.C. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro praises the judge:
  • "[She] made it clear that she believed that he crossed the country with a weapon with the intent to commit a crime of violence." (Ted Lindner quoting, 03:30)
• Next pretrial date set for January 14th.

6. Luigi Mangione Trial for Murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO

[03:45–04:37]

• Mangione, accused of killing CEO Brian Thompson in 2024, appears in court.
• CB Cotton details witness testimony: Police found him at a McDonald’s in Altoona, PA, based on a public tip.
• Officer Detwiler’s account:
  • "Once he asked Mangione to take down the mask, he recognized him immediately... became nervous moving Mangione's backpack, fearing a firearm could be inside." (CB Cotton paraphrasing, 04:20)
• Police found a gun, silencer, and notebook in Mangione’s backpack.
• Defense contends evidence was gathered illegally.

7. Trump Rescinds Biden’s Auto-Pen Documents

[04:37–04:55]

• President Trump announces the termination of all documents—pardons included—signed by President Biden via auto-pen, via Truth Social post.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Jeanine Pirro (on Trump’s role in Tennessee):
  • "I'll be all in with him." (00:23)
• Unnamed Republican Lawmaker (on Venezuela strike):
  • "This is wartime." (00:49)
  • "Maybe we'll get there. This won't be an endless war." (00:52)
• D.C. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro (on accused Afghan shooter):
  • "She made it clear that she believed that he crossed the country with a weapon with the intent to commit a crime of violence." (03:30)

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Important Segment Timestamps

• Tennessee Special Election: 00:02–00:25
• US-Venezuela Military Strikes & Congressional Tension: 00:34–01:19
• Russia-US Ukraine Talks: 01:19–01:30
• Gaza–Egypt Rafah Crossing Update: 01:30–01:49
• DC Guard Shooting Case: 02:58–03:37
• UnitedHealthcare CEO Murder Update: 03:45–04:37
• Trump Voids Biden Auto-Pen Documents: 04:37–04:55

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Summary

This episode delivers a brisk overview of pressing headlines: a pivotal GOP win in Tennessee, Congressional scrutiny over US military action in Venezuela, incremental diplomatic progress on Ukraine, criminal proceedings with national implications, and an assertive move by Trump to annul his predecessor’s executive actions. The reporting balances direct quotes from key figures with succinct explanations, capturing the tense and impactful news landscape of December 2025.

Transcript

[Ted Lindner]

A win for Republicans in Tennessee. I'm Ted Lindner. Fox News. Matt Van EPPS Winning the 7th Congressional District against Democrat state Representative Afton Bain in a special election held Tuesday. It drew national attention after the win. Van Epps thanking President Trump.

[Jeanine Pirro]

President Trump was all in with us.

[Ted Lindner]

And it made the difference in Congress.

[Jeanine Pirro]

I'll be all in with him.

[Ted Lindner]

Republicans maintain their narrow 219 to 213 majority. Looking for answers after the Pentagon struck an alleged Venezuelan drug boat twice.

[Chad Perkram]

Fox's Chad Perkram Bipartisan questions about US Strikes in the Caribbean. The administration says Navy Admiral Frank Bradley ordered the strikes. He speaks with lawmakers Thursday. One Republican even suggested the US Is actually at war.

[Unnamed Republican Lawmaker]

This is wartime.

[Chad Perkram]

Why not have a declaration of war?

[Unnamed Republican Lawmaker]

Maybe we'll get there. This won't be an endless war.

[Chad Perkram]

It would be a war.

[Unnamed Republican Lawmaker]

It'll be, it'll be. Well, your definition of a well, you said this will be, this will be a very. Whatever we do there will be very quick.

[Chad Perkram]

One Republican accused the White House of shifting justifications for the strikes. Lawmakers believe the administration owes Congress answers. Bipartisan lawmakers will trigger a war powers vote if the US Carries out what they say is an unauthorized strike on Venezuela.

[Ted Lindner]

Meantime, a senior adviser to Russian President Vladimir Putin saying the latest talks between Russia and the US on ending the war in Ukraine were productive, but a lot of work still remains. Putin meeting President Trump's envoy Steve witkoff. February of 2026 will mark four years since the war began. Israel today saying that the Rafah crossing will open in the next few days to allow Gaza residents to cross into Egypt. The arrangement given security clearance from Israel. It will be coordinated with Egypt. The Rafah crossing had been closed to both people and humanitarian aid by Israeli forces since May of 2024. Israel did not specify when the Rafah crossing would be open. America's listening to Fox News.

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[Ted Lindner]

Simplisafe. An Afghan national has pleaded not guilty following the shooting of two national.

[Jeanine Pirro]

Guard troops in D.C. ramanula Laconwell now knows the charges he faces after two National Guard soldiers were shot last week and one died. They are first degree murder, assault with intent to kill and two counts for possession of a firearm. McConwell pleaded not guilty remotely from his hospital bed. D.C. u.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro praised the federal judge in the case for her decision to hold the suspect without.

[Ted Lindner]

Bond. She made it clear that she believed that he crossed the country with a weapon with the intent to commit a crime of.

[Jeanine Pirro]

Violence. Pirro said she believes the government will prove its case against Laconwa, whose next pretrial court date is set for January.

[Ted Lindner]

14Th. Gernall Scott, Fox News Accused killer Luigi Mangione back in a New York courtroom Tuesday charged with the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in 2024. That shooting happening one year ago.

[CB Cotton]

Thursday. Fox's CB Cotton witness testimony revealing new details about how the days long manhunt for Luigi Mangione came to an end at a McDonald's in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Altoona, Pennsylvania, Police Officer Joseph Detwiler testified for hours about taking mang custody at that McDonald's after customers spotted Mangione in a beanie and surgical mask. Detweiler said once he asked Mangione to take down the mask, he recognized him immediately. Officer Detweiler said he then became nervous moving Mangione's backpack, fearing a firearm could be inside of.

[Ted Lindner]

It. Prosecutors say a gun, silencer and a notebook were found inside Mangione's backpack. The defense saying the evidence was obtained illegally. And President Trump posting on Truth Social Tuesday, he's terminating all documents, including pardons signed by his predecessor, former President Biden, using an auto pen signature. I'm Ted Lindner and this is FOX News. This is Ainsley Earhart. Thank you for joining me for.

[CB Cotton]

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[Ted Lindner]

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[Jeanine Pirro]

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