Fox News Hourly Update: 6PM ET 08/30/2025

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This episode covers a range of escalating legal and policy battles during President Trump’s second term—including federal court setbacks to his tariff and immigration policy, a proposed renaming of the Department of Defense, local resistance in sanctuary cities, and updates on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The episode’s tone is brisk, direct, and focused on major breaking headlines.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Legal Setbacks for President Trump’s Administration

• [00:02] Federal Appeals Court Rules Against Presidential Tariff Powers

  • President Trump’s trade tariffs found “largely unconstitutional” by a federal appeals court.
  • Ruling delayed until October 14 to allow for a Supreme Court appeal.

    “This ruling does not go into effect until October 14th. That's to give time for the Trump administration to file an appeal to the Supreme Court.”
    — Alexandria Hoff [00:14]

  • Court specifies that while the president has broad national emergency powers, imposing tariffs is not explicitly included.

    "None of these actions explicitly include the power to impose tariffs, duties or the like, or the power to tax."
    — Alexandria Hoff [00:24]

  • President Trump responds, emphasizing the ruling is partisan and reiterating support for his tariffs.

    "A highly partisan appeals court incorrectly said that our tariffs should be removed. But they know the United States of America will win in the end. If these tariffs ever went away, it would be a total disaster for the country. It would make us financially weak and we have to be strong."
    — Alexandria Hoff quoting Trump [00:35]

  • Tariffs remain a central piece of Trump’s second-term trade strategy.

    "The president has made tariffs a pillar of his second term as a way to compel other nations to renegotiate trade deals with the US."
    — Daria Albinger [00:55]

• [00:55] Court Blocks Expansion of Expedited Removal for Illegal Immigrants

  • Separate federal court ruling halts White House plans to expand “expedited removal” for undocumented immigrants apprehended outside the border.
  • Policy would have allowed quick removal of noncitizens unable to prove two years’ residency.
  • Judge Gia Cobbs affirms due process must be afforded for long-term residents in the interior; current process deemed insufficient.

    "The court does not cast doubt on the constitutionality of the expedited removal statute… It merely holds that in applying the statute to a huge group of people living in the interior… the government must afford them due process."
    — Madeline Rivera reading Judge Cobbs’ opinion [01:22]

  • The White House signals plans to intensify immigration crackdowns, especially in sanctuary cities.

2. Resistance from Sanctuary Cities

• [02:31] Chicago’s Executive Order Against Federal Immigration Crackdown
  • Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson signs an executive order to protect city residents, pledging to resist federal immigration enforcement attempts.

    "He is reckless and out of control. He is the biggest threat to our democracy that we've experienced in the history of our country."
    — Mayor Brandon Johnson on President Trump [02:44]

  • Chicago is one of several cities under consideration for federal intervention by President Trump after federal troop deployments to DC.

3. Renaming the Department of Defense

• [03:08] White House Considers Restoring 'Department of War' Name
  • Trump administration explores renaming Department of Defense to Department of War.

    "So it used to be called the Department of War and it had a stronger sound. And as you know, we won World War I, we won World War II. We won everything."
    — President Donald Trump [03:19]

  • Move may need congressional approval; White House reportedly seeking alternatives.
  • Historical note: Department of War was renamed Department of Defense in 1949.

4. Ukraine Conflict Update

• [03:51] Russian Attack on Southern Ukraine
  • At least one killed, dozens wounded after Russian aerial strike on Zaporizhzhia, including damage to a residential building and injuries to children.
  • Ukrainian forces report extensive defense: intercepted/destroyed over 500 drones and 38 missiles.

    "Ukrainian officials, who say children are among the injured, say its forces shot down or neutralized more than 500 drones and 38 missiles."
    — Daria Albinger [03:51]

  • Attack follows recent diplomatic meetings—Trump-Putin in Alaska and Zelensky’s visit to Washington.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Judicial Limits to Executive Power

  "None of these actions explicitly include the power to impose tariffs, duties or the like, or the power to tax."
  — Alexandria Hoff [00:24]

• President Trump’s Defiance on Tariffs

  "If these tariffs ever went away, it would be a total disaster for the country. It would make us financially weak and we have to be strong."
  — Donald Trump (as quoted) [00:40]

• Due Process for Interior Immigrants

  "The government must afford them due process. The procedures currently in place fall short."
  — Madeline Rivera [01:42]

• Chicago’s Rebuke of Federal Immigration Action

  "He is reckless and out of control. He is the biggest threat to our democracy that we've experienced in the history of our country."
  — Mayor Brandon Johnson [02:44]

• On the Possible Rebranding of the Pentagon

  "It used to be called the Department of War and it had a stronger sound… Now we have a Department of Defense with defenders."
  — President Donald Trump [03:19]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:02] – Start: President Trump’s tariffs ruled unconstitutional
• [00:55] – Block on expedited removal expansion
• [02:31] – Chicago pushes back on federal immigration plans
• [03:08] – Consideration to rename Department of Defense
• [03:51] – Russian aerial attack in Ukraine; update on military and diplomatic events

Listeners received a rapid-fire update on legal, political, and international developments shaping US policy, marked by the Trump administration’s confrontational stances, growing city/state resistance, and underlying tensions in global affairs.