Fox News Hourly Update - July 13, 2025

Released on July 13, 2025

The 6AM ET edition of the Fox News Hourly Update delivers comprehensive coverage on pressing issues, including severe flooding in Texas, escalating trade tensions with major international partners, critical security lapses related to an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, and significant personnel changes within the Justice Department. Below is a detailed summary of the key topics discussed in this episode.

1. Texas Flooding Forecast and Ongoing Impact

Timestamp: 00:04 - 01:01

Debra Valentine opened the broadcast with urgent news regarding Texas bracing for additional flooding. Highlighting the severity of last week's catastrophic events, she stated:

"Texas is bracing for the potential for more flooding."
[00:04]

The flood watch has been issued for the Texas Hill Country, a region that recently experienced devastating floods resulting in at least 129 fatalities.

Constantine, a meteorologist from the San Antonio National Weather Service, provided a detailed weather forecast:

"Pashto showers and storms developing overnight into the morning hours and then continuing into the afternoon. With local heavy rain possible for that area."
[00:22]

Alicia Acuna expanded on the implications of the ongoing weather conditions:

"The latest round of weather could hamper ongoing search efforts for the dozens of people still missing."
[00:39]

She also revealed critical information about FEMA's prior decisions:

"Records show FEMA removed dozens of Camp Mystic buildings from federal flood maps years before the flooding hit. The moves eased strict rules on insurance and expansion even though the camp sat in a high-risk flood zone."
[00:39]

Debra concluded this segment by highlighting the current human toll:

"More than 170 people remain missing statewide."
[01:01]

2. Escalation of U.S. Trade War with the European Union and Mexico

Timestamp: 01:01 - 01:59

Debra Valentine transitioned to the topic of international trade tensions, emphasizing the urgency for the European Union and Mexico to finalize a trade deal with the United States.

Fox reporter Chanley Painter provided an in-depth analysis of President Trump's stance on the matter:

"President Trump is escalating his trade war with threats of increased tariffs on two of the U.S.'s biggest trading partners."
[01:13]

President Trump outlined his aggressive tariff plans:

"I will impose 30% tariffs on imports from the European Union and Mexico. The new rates could take effect Aug. 1 unless a new deal is reached."
[01:13]

He further characterized the trade deficit as a national security concern:

"The U.S. trade deficit is a national security threat."
[01:13]

Lara Trump added context to the administration's position:

"Some of the countries are very upset now because they've been taking advantage of us for 30, 40 years."
[01:41]

The segment concluded with reactions from international bodies:

"The UN, Mexico are calling the tariffs unfair and disruptive. They're pledging to continue to negotiate with the US for a broader trade deal before the deadline."
[01:47]

3. Security Lapses in Secret Service During Assassination Attempt on Trump

Timestamp: 03:10 - 04:05

Debra Valentine addressed a critical security issue concerning an assassination attempt on then-presidential candidate Donald Trump during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, last year.

Fox reporter Alexis McAdams detailed the findings of a new Government Accountability Office (GAO) report released by Senator Chuck Grassley:

"According to a new GAO report, which was released by Senator Chuck Grassley, the agency knew there was a threat to Trump's life, but it did not alert local law enforcement or their own teams who were there on the ground."
[03:24]

She highlighted several key failures:

• Lack of Drone Surveillance:

  "The Secret Service did not have a drone that day. We knew about that when we were out there on the ground, but this is why the drone was broken."
  [04:05]

  The drone operator, a new agent, revealed he had only one hour of training for operating the drone.

• Inexperienced Security Personnel:

  "The agent who was supposed to secure the rally site was new, and it was her first event."
  [04:05]

Furthermore, the report shed light on the ongoing quest for answers from the family of Cory Comparator, who was shot and killed during the incident.

Secret Service responded by committing to changes aimed at preventing such failures in the future.

4. Justice Department Dismisses Staff Linked to Special Counsel Investigations

Timestamp: 04:05 - 05:01

Debra Valentine reported significant developments within the Justice Department, focusing on the dismissal of personnel connected to investigations involving former President Trump.

Fox reporter Jill Nadeau provided detailed insights:

"Several sources say people have been fired who worked with special Counsel Jack Smith. Those people were involved in looking into classified records found at President Trump's Mar-a-Lago home, as well as his efforts to overturn the 2020 election."
[04:28]

She further explained the administration's rationale:

"Since January, the Justice Department has been dismissing employees who worked on issues involving Trump, citing the president's executive powers under the Constitution."
[04:28]

Notable points include:

• Scope of Dismissals:

  At least 37 individuals associated with Smith's team have been terminated since Trump took office.

• Resignation of Special Counsel:

  "Smith himself resigned his post back in January."
  [04:28]

These actions have raised concerns regarding the impartiality and independence of ongoing investigations within the department.

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the critical discussions and insights presented in the July 13, 2025, episode of Fox News Hourly Update, providing listeners with a thorough understanding of the day's top news stories.