Fox News Hourly Update – 5PM ET 01/03/2026 Newscast

Date: January 3, 2026
Host: Angelo Bavaro, FOX News Podcasts

Overview

This episode of the Fox News Hourly Update delivers breaking news on the US military's recent operation in Venezuela, resulting in the capture of President Nicolas Maduro. The segment covers the aftermath of the operation, reactions from US lawmakers, legal fallout in Wisconsin, and travel disruptions across the Caribbean. High-profile quotes from President Donald Trump, key members of Congress, and officials illuminate the differing perspectives surrounding these events.

Key Discussion Points

1. US Military Operation in Venezuela

• Capture of Nicolas Maduro: The episode opens with breaking news that the US military, under President Trump’s administration, has captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife after early morning strikes in Caracas.
  • “Resulted in the capture and custody of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife.” — Fox News Reporter [00:10]
• Justification & Charges: President Trump describes Maduro as a major criminal figure responsible for trafficking drugs into the US and announces federal narco-terror charges in New York.
  • “Maduro was the kingpin of a vast criminal network responsible for trafficking colossal amounts of deadly and illicit drugs into the United States.” — President Donald Trump [00:43]
  • “Maduro will face federal narco terror charges in New York. He also says the US will now run Venezuela and rebuild the country's oil infrastructure until a proper transition of power can take place.” — Jared Halpern [00:55]
• US Oversight in Venezuela: The US plans to administer Venezuela temporarily, focusing on restoring the oil sector and preparing for a transition of power.
• Historical Context: Reminder that Maduro and associates were indicted in 2020.
  • "Maduro and other Venezuelan officials were also indicted back in 2020." — Fox News Reporter [01:14]

2. Domestic Political Fallout: Wisconsin Judge Resignation

• Judge Conviction and Resignation: Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan resigns following a felony obstruction conviction for helping a Mexican immigrant evade federal arrest.
  • "Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan has sent her resignation letter to the governor weeks after being convicted of felony obstruction." — Reporter [01:21]
• Political Reactions:
  • Trump references the case as part of an anti-immigration push.
  • Democrats call the prosecution "politically motivated."

3. Congressional Reactions & Debate

• Republican Support: Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks praises the military operation, referencing Republican alignment on combating drug trafficking and defending the secrecy of the mission.
  • “President Trump and many of us campaigned on ending the scourge of fentanyl, ending the gang members that were here through the open border policies of President Biden. And they carried this out in a precise, small, minute way. It was a joint operation that was brilliantly done and kept quiet, which it needed to be.” — Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks [02:39]
• National Security Concerns: Secretary of State Marco Rubio says Congressional leaders were only informed after the operation due to “sensitive conditions.”
  • “Could not notify Congress due to sensitive conditions that needed to be met, but he did notify them afterwards.” — Fox News Reporter [03:01]
• Democratic Critique: Senator Ruben Gallego criticizes the administration for bypassing Congress and voices deep concerns about a potential occupation.
  • “People do not want us to occupy… We don't want to go war again for another, you know, oil again. And someone's experienced this in Iraq. Nothing good comes out of this.” — Senator Ruben Gallego [03:31]

4. Related News & Broader Implications

• Puerto Rico and Caribbean Flight Cancellations: In the aftermath of the Venezuela crisis, hundreds of flights across Puerto Rico and the Caribbean are canceled for security reasons, with airports expected to reopen soon.
  • “Puerto Rico's governor says it's a security measure.” — Fox News Reporter [03:53]
  • Airlines affected include American and United, canceling routes to Aruba, the US Virgin Islands, and more.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Securing US Interests
  “Will secure our borders, we will stop the terrorists, we will crash the cartels and we will defend our citizens against all threats, foreign and domestic.”
  — President Donald Trump [00:20]

• On Congressional Notification
  “Administration could not notify Congress due to sensitive conditions that needed to be met, but he did notify them afterwards.”
  — Fox News Reporter [03:01]

• On Historical Lessons
  “Nothing good comes out of this.”
  — Senator Ruben Gallego, referencing experiences in Iraq [03:31]

Important Timestamps

• [00:02] — Episode introduction and news on Venezuela operation
• [00:34] — Details of US military action in Caracas
• [01:21] — Resignation of Milwaukee County Judge Dugan
• [02:18] — Congressional reaction to Venezuela operation
• [02:39] — Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks defends operation
• [03:01] — Explanation about lack of advance Congressional notification
• [03:31] — Sen. Ruben Gallego critiques US actions and occupation fears
• [03:53] — Flight cancellations across Puerto Rico and Caribbean

Summary

This Fox News hourly update focuses on the dramatic US operation that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Maduro, outlining the administration’s plans for Venezuelan governance and oil management. The episode captures strong reactions from politicians across the aisle—Republicans largely supporting decisive military action, Democrats warning of the dangers of occupation. The broadcast also highlights the resonance of these international developments in domestic politics, with reference to immigration-related judicial controversy in Wisconsin, and the wider effects on travel and security in the Caribbean region.