8AM ET 08/25/2025 Newscast

Summary

---

Fox News Hourly Update – 8AM ET, August 25, 2025

Main Theme:
The episode delivers a succinct roundup of breaking national and global news, highlighting immigration controversies, federal law enforcement actions in response to crime, developments in the Ghislaine Maxwell/Jeffrey Epstein case, updates on the Ukraine-Russia conflict, and federal drug trafficking prosecutions.

---

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Immigration and Deportation: Kilmar Abrego Garcia

• Summary: Kilmar Abrego Garcia, held on human smuggling charges, is now at a Baltimore ICE facility and faces deportation to Uganda after rejecting a plea deal for Costa Rica.
• Community Response: CASA, an advocacy group, condemns the administration's deportation practices and plans a prayer vigil and rally in support of Garcia.
• Notable Quote:
  • CASA Representative (00:18):
    “Kilmar is being made an example of a martyr for having the courage to stand up to this administration's illegal deportation practices. They're throwing the entire federal apparatus at one father of three to prove that no one should dare challenge their authority. These torturous behaviors must end at once. Enough is enough.”
• Context: Garcia was previously deported to El Salvador and released from a Tennessee jail.

---

2. Federal Crime Initiatives and Urban Violence

• Summary:
  • The Trump administration is considering expanding its federal anti-crime operations to Chicago, mirroring the recent deployment of 2,000 troops in Washington, D.C.
  • D.C. operations have led to 93 arrests, including 46 undocumented immigrants in neighboring Maryland.
• Political Reactions:
  • Maryland Governor Wes Moore opposes deploying the National Guard in Baltimore, citing high costs ($1 million daily).
  • Missouri Senator Eric Schmidt supports increased federal presence in St. Louis, highlighting its high murder rate.
• Notable Quote:
  • (01:14) Fox News Reporter:
    “The White House says there were 93 arrests in D.C. including 46 illegal aliens in Maryland. Next door, Governor Wes Moore has invited President Trump to visit Baltimore. Moore rejected the idea the guard is needed in his city with the second highest murder rate. President Trump has declined the invitation.”
• Context: Ongoing debate between local and federal authority in combating urban crime.

---

3. Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein Case Transcripts

• Summary: The Justice Department released interview materials with Ghislaine Maxwell, co-conspirator of Jeffrey Epstein.
• Key Revelations:
  • Maxwell denies witnessing inappropriate behavior by Presidents Bill Clinton or Donald Trump.
  • She claims no knowledge of a Epstein client list and does not believe Epstein died by suicide.
  • Maxwell is seeking presidential clemency, serving a 20-year sentence for her role in trafficking.
• Notable Quotes:
  • Maxwell (voice read by CASA Representative, 03:24):
    “I never saw the president in any type of massage setting. I never witnessed the president in any inappropriate setting in any way.”
  • Kristin Goodwin (03:24):
    “Ghislaine Maxwell telling Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche she never witnessed any inappropriate activity by former President Bill Clinton or President Donald Trump.”
  • Kristin Goodwin (03:35):
    “Also saying she is not aware of any Jeffrey Epstein client list and does not believe Epstein died by suicide.”
• Further Action: DOJ provided related documents to the House Oversight Committee in response to a subpoena.

---

4. Ukraine-Russia War Update

• Summary: Ukraine intensifies attacks on Russian energy infrastructure, achieving notable disruptions as global gas prices rise.
• Key Details:
  • Ukrainian drone strikes hit Russian refineries and pumping stations.
  • Russia claims Ukraine attacked a nuclear power plant, but the fire was contained.
  • World leaders, including President Trump and President Xi Jinping, publicly support Ukraine on its Independence Day (marking 34 years since separation from the USSR).
• Notable Quote:
  • Marianne Rafferty (04:13):
    “Ukraine is stepping up attacks against Russian energy facilities. Kiev is using drones to strike refineries and pumping stations, part of an effort to hurt Russia's war machine. And their efforts appear to be working. Gasoline prices are soaring across the country.”

---

5. U.S. Push for Ukraine Summits

• Summary: President Trump urges talks between Russian and Ukrainian leaders to promote peace, but no date is set for a summit.
• Context: Diplomatic efforts continue alongside military developments.

---

6. Sinaloa Cartel Leader's Federal Case

• Summary:
  • Ismail Amayo Zimbarda, known Sinaloa cartel leader, is expected to plead guilty to federal drug trafficking charges in Brooklyn.

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• CASA on Kilmar Abrego Garcia:
  “They're throwing the entire federal apparatus at one father of three to prove that no one should dare challenge their authority.” [00:18]

• Governor Wes Moore’s Economic Argument:
  “Operations would be unsustainable from a financial standpoint, claiming a cost of $1 million per day.” [01:44]

• Ghislaine Maxwell’s Denial:
  “I never saw the president in any type of massage setting. I never witnessed the president in any inappropriate setting in any way.” [03:24]

• Ukraine’s Strategic Strikes (Marianne Rafferty):
  “Ukraine is stepping up attacks against Russian energy facilities. Kiev is using drones to strike refineries and pumping stations, part of an effort to hurt Russia's war machine.” [04:13]

---

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Kilmar Abrego Garcia Deportation & CASA Response: 00:02 – 01:02
• Trump Admin Crime Initiatives / Urban Guard Debate: 01:02 – 01:44
• Maxwell/Epstein DOJ Transcript Release: 03:10 – 03:58
• Ukraine-Russia Conflict Updates: 03:58 – 04:48
• Sinaloa Cartel Plea Deal: 04:48 – 05:17

---

Summary prepared with attention to original tone and factual reporting for those seeking a concise yet comprehensive overview of the episode.

Transcript

[Gianna Jalozzi]

He could be sent to Uganda. Gianna Jalouse, FOX News. Kilmar Abrego Garcia has arrived at a Baltimore ICE facility. Immigration officials say they plan to deport him to Uganda after he rejected a plea deal to be sent to Costa Rica in exchange for pleading guilty to smuggling charges.

[CASA Representative]

Family members and supporters are planning a prayer vigil and rally for Abrego Garcia also outside of the offices here, including court appointed special advocates, also known as CASA. In a statement, CASA's chief of organizing and leadership says, quote, kilmar is being made an example of a martyr for having the courage to stand up to this administration's illegal deportation practices. They're throwing the entire federal apparatus at one father of three to prove that no one should dare challenge their authority. These torturous behaviors must end at once. Enough is enough. End quote. Abrego Garcia was released Friday from a Tennessee jail where he was being held on human smuggling charges. He was sent there back in June after being deported to El Salvador.

[Gianna Jalozzi]

Now that is olivia dance of Fox 45 Baltimore. Meanwhile, the Trump administration is eyeing Chicago as it looks to expand its effort to cut crime across the country. Said he could get similar treatment to DC where 2000 troops have been deployed.

[Fox News Reporter]

The White House says there were 93 arrests in D.C. including 46 illegal aliens in Maryland. Next door, Governor Wes Moore has invited President Trump to visit Baltimore. Moore rejected the idea the guard is needed in his city with the second highest murder rate. President Trump has declined the invitation. On Truth Social, Missouri Senator Eric Schmidt says he welcomes federal support and more officers in the city of St. Louis, which of course has the highest murder rate in the country.

[Gianna Jalozzi]

And that is Fox's Lucas Tomlinson. Maryland Governor Wes Moore says the operations would be unsustainable from a financial standpoint, claiming a cost of $1 million per day. America's listening to Fox News.

[NetSuite Commercial Announcer]

What does the future hold for business? Ask nine experts and you'll get 10 answers. Bull market, bear market. Inflation's up or down. Can someone please invent a crystal ball? Until then, over 42,000 businesses have future proofed their business with NetSuite by Oracle. The number one Cloud ERP, bringing accounting, financial management, inventory, HR into one fluid platform with one unified business management suite. There's one source of truth giving you the visibility and control you need to make quick decisions. With real time insights and forecasting, you're peering into the future with actionable data. When you're closing the books in days, not weeks, you're spending less time looking backwards and more time on what's next. Whether your company is earning millions or even hundreds of millions, NetSuite helps you respond to immediate challenges and seize your biggest opportunities. Speaking of opportunity, download the CFO's guide to AI and machine learning at netsuite.com fox the the guide is free to you at netsuite.com fox netsuite.com fox.

[Gianna Jalozzi]

The Justice Department releasing transcripts and audio from its interview with Jeffrey Epstein, co conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell.

[Kristin Goodwin]

Ghislaine Maxwell telling Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche she never witnessed any inappropriate activity by former President Bill Clinton or President Donald Trump.

[CASA Representative]

I never saw the president in any type of massage setting. I never witnessed the president in any inappropriate setting in any way.

[Gianna Jalozzi]

The present was never inappropriate with anybody.

[Kristin Goodwin]

Also saying she is not aware of any Jeffrey Epstein client list and does not believe Epstein died by suicide. Maxwell, who is seeking a pardon or commutation from the president, is serving a 20 year prison sentence for helping Epstein traffic and abuse underage girls. Her lawyer, David Marcus, praising the DOJ for releasing the transcript and audio, saying people could judge for themselves. Kristin Goodwin, FOX News.

[Gianna Jalozzi]

Now the DOJ turned over thousands of pages of documents related to Epstein to the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Friday in response to a subpoena. Ukraine's war with Russia rages on as the Eastern European nation marked its Independence Day yesterday. Fox's Marianne Rafferty.

[Marianne Rafferty]

Ukraine is stepping up attacks against Russian energy facilities. Keep is using drones to strike refineries and pumping stations, part of an effort to hurt Russia's war machine. And their efforts appear to be working. Gasoline prices are soaring across the country. Russia is also accusing Ukraine of launching attacks on a nuclear power plant. Officials say it sparked a fire that was quickly put out. Meantime, world leaders are showing support for Ukraine as the country celebrates its 34th Independence Day. From the Soviet Union, President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping were among those delivering messages of support.

[Gianna Jalozzi]

Now President Trump continues his push to bring Russian Ukraine leaders together to talk peace. But no date has been set for a potential summit. And Sinaloa cartel leader Ismail Amayo Zimbarda is expected to plead guilty to federal drug trafficking charges today before a judge in Brooklyn. I'm Gianna Jalozzi. This is FOX News. I'm Janice Dean. Join me every Sunday as I focus on stories of hope and people who are truly rays of sunshine in their community and across the world.

[Fox News Reporter]

Listen and follow [e-mail].