Fox News Hourly Update – 8AM ET (08/26/2025)

Podcast: Fox News Hourly Update
Host: Peter Doocy (and Fox News correspondents)
Date: August 26, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode delivers a rapid-fire rundown of key political and legislative events dominating U.S. headlines, with a strong focus on President Trump’s recent executive actions and confrontations with the Federal Reserve, state governors, and major cities regarding crime, bail reform, and protest tactics. Also highlighted are the evolving Congressional races in Texas.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. President Trump Removes Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook

• Summary: President Trump initiates an unprecedented move by dismissing Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, following allegations of mortgage fraud.
• Key Details:
  • Trump’s decision follows a criminal referral from Bill Pulte, Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, accusing Cook of falsifying bank documents and property records.
  • Specifically, Cook is alleged to have claimed two properties as her primary residence when applying for mortgages in 2021.
  • Trump's letter stated: "In light of your deceitful and potentially criminal conduct in a financial matter, I do not have such confidence in your integrity." (00:21)
• Notable Moment: Cook refuses to step down, despite Trump’s directive. (00:48)

2. Crime Crackdown: Federal Action in Major Cities

• Summary: President Trump escalates federal involvement in urban crime, with a potential National Guard deployment to Chicago on the table.
• Key Details:
  • Defense Department reportedly preparing plans for National Guard deployment in other cities.
  • Chicago’s Mayor criticizes the effort, citing low yields for high federal spending: "The President has spent hundreds of millions of dollars to what, arrest nine people in D.C."
  • Trump corrects the narrative: “Nine people. We didn't arrest nine people. We actually arrested a total of well over 1,000 people.” (01:18)
  • Trump says troops will only be sent if requested by Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, who pushes back: "Mr. President, do not come Chicago." (01:24)
  • Maryland Governor Wes Moore reacts dismissively: "LOL and keep telling yourself that, Mr. President."
• Analysis: The president is positioning crime as a federal priority and sparring with Democratic governors over jurisdiction and effectiveness.

3. Executive Order: Jail for Flag Burning

• Summary: Trump signs an executive order that mandates prosecution of flag burning, framing the issue as a matter of patriotism and civil peace.
• Key Details:
  • The executive order calls for the Justice Department to prosecute flag burning, challenging a long-standing 1989 Supreme Court verdict that established flag burning as First Amendment protected speech.
  • Trump’s rationale: “The people in this country don't want to see our American flag burned and spit on. And by people that are in many cases paid agitators.” (02:28)
  • Fox's Jared Halpern: The move likely triggers a constitutional confrontation and potential Supreme Court challenge. (02:38)
• Memorable Quote: Trump calls the previous court decision “very sad,” and contends "flag burning can incite riots."

4. Executive Order: Ending Cashless Bail

• Summary: Another executive order seeks to cut federal funding to locations that maintain cashless bail regimes, starting with Washington, D.C.
• Key Details:
  • Trump: “Cashless bail, we're ending it, but we're starting by ending it in D.C. and that we have the right to do through federalization.” (03:08)
  • Critics argue cash bail unfairly targets low-income individuals.
• Political Context: This action aligns with Trump’s ‘law and order’ messaging and is contentious among advocates for criminal justice reform.

5. Texas Congressional Race Shakeup

• Summary: Texas GOP passes a new redistricting plan consolidating Democratic districts, reshaping the primary landscape.
• Key Details:
  • Greg Casar announces his campaign for the newly drawn 37th Congressional District: “You didn’t elect me to go learn the same broken playbook. You sent me to write a new one.” (03:39)
  • Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D), who had previously called for President Biden to step down, will not run for re-election, avoiding an intra-party primary clash.
• Implications: The move is poised to challenge Democratic control and alter the Congressional balance in Texas.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• President Trump (to Lisa Cook):
  “In light of your deceitful and potentially criminal conduct in a financial matter, I do not have such confidence in your integrity.” (00:21)

• President Trump (on crime raids):
  “Nine people. We didn't arrest nine people. We actually arrested a total of well over 1,000 people.” (01:18)

• President Trump (on flag burning):
  “The people in this country don't want to see our American flag burned and spit on. And by people that are in many cases paid agitators.” (02:28)

• President Trump (on cashless bail):
  “Cashless bail, we're ending it, but we're starting by ending it in D.C. and that we have the right to do through federalization.” (03:08)

• Greg Casar (launching campaign): “You didn’t elect me to go learn the same broken playbook Democrats have used for decades. You sent me to write a new one.” (03:39)

• Governor J.B. Pritzker:
  "Mr. President, do not come Chicago." (01:28)

• Governor Wes Moore:
  "LOL and keep telling yourself that, Mr. President." (01:35)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:02–00:48: Trump removes Fed Governor Lisa Cook
• 00:48–01:47: Federal crime crackdown and city/state reactions
• 02:16–02:59: Executive order jailing flag burners and First Amendment clash
• 03:01–03:16: Executive order targeting cashless bail
• 03:29–03:57: Texas redistricting and new Congressional campaign

Tone and Language

The episode maintains Fox News’ brisk, news-oriented tone, blending direct reporting with notable Trump soundbites and highlighting partisan exchanges between the president and Democratic officials.

Summary

This episode captures an administration on the offensive: purging top officials, challenging entrenched legal precedents, taking on state and city leaders, and pressuring opponents in Congress—all with an unmistakably combative Trumpian style. The episode’s succinct format packs several days’ worth of controversy into four minutes, spotlighting the current polarization and rapid developments in U.S. governance.