8AM ET 09/16/2025 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update – 8AM ET 09/16/2025 Newscast

Date: September 16, 2025
Host: Dave Anthony, FOX News Team
Theme: Major U.S. and international news developments with focus on high-profile crime, political reaction, world affairs, and financial updates.

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Major Story: Suspect Confesses in Charlie Kirk Assassination

• Details:
  • Tyler Robinson, accused of assassinating Charlie Kirk, is set to face murder and other related charges in court.
  • He reportedly confessed in an online group chat, admitting responsibility before surrendering to authorities.
• Key Segment: Confession
  [00:12] Garrett Henney:

  “In messages... from an online group chat, the suspect told a group of about 30 people, ‘Hey guys, I have bad news for you all. It was me at UVU yesterday. I'm sorry for all of this. I'm surrendering through a sheriff friend in a few moments. Thanks for all the good times and laughs. You've all been amazing.’”

• Additional Details:
  • Robinson informed some individuals of his plans before the incident.

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Legal and Political Fallout

• First Amendment & Hate Speech
  • [00:38] Dave Anthony:
    • Attorney General Pam Bondi addresses the legal threshold for hate speech.
    • Quote:

      “Hate speech that crosses the line into threats of violence is not protected by the First Amendment… For far too long the radical left has normalized threats and shared political violence. That era is over and some could face a crackdown.”

• Domestic Terrorism Label for Antifa
  • [00:55] Reporter:
    • Antifa described as an umbrella movement against far-right fascism.
  • [01:08] Donald Trump:

    “I would do that 100% and others also, by the way. But Antifa is terrible.”

• Potential Racketeering Charges
  • [01:14] Reporter:
    • Trump indicates the Justice Department could pursue racketeering charges against left-wing groups and their financial backers.

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Federal Crime Crackdown & Urban Policy

• [01:19] Dave Anthony:
  • Trump unveils a new federal crackdown on crime, with a focus on sending National Guard troops and federal agents to Memphis, Tennessee (in cooperation with its Republican governor).
  • The president expresses intent to deploy this strategy to Chicago, which faces opposition from Illinois’s Democratic governor.
  • [01:33] Donald Trump:

    “Chicago is a great city and we're going to make it great again very soon. And I think we can do that despite the tremendous size.”

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International Affairs

• Venezuelan Drug Interdiction
  • [01:42] Dave Anthony:
    • The U.S. military destroyed a suspected drug boat off Venezuela’s coast, resulting in three deaths.
• President Trump – London Visit
  • Final preparations for Trump’s state visit to the UK, including meetings with King Charles and the British Prime Minister.

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Middle East Crisis: Israel and Gaza

• UN Human Rights Council Accusations
  • [02:15] Dave Anthony:
    • The UN accuses Israel of genocide against Palestinians in Gaza; Israel denies, calling the inquiry “distorted and false.”
• Escalating Offensive in Gaza
  • [02:30] Alex Hogan:

    “After weeks of preparing for an increase of force, we are seeing this new ground offensive begin in Gaza. It was a night of heavy strikes overnight. The IDF says that it has started this new early phase of its ground offensive in Gaza City. The city's hospital today has reported 20 deaths and as many as 90 wounded. The IDF says the number of ground forces will rise in the coming days as they warn civilians to head south. Defense Minister Israel Katz today says the IDF is using an iron fist and that Gaza City is burning.”

• Diplomatic Efforts
  • [02:59] Dave Anthony:
    • Secretary of State Marco Rubio leaves Qatar, pushing for a Gaza ceasefire, following controversy over a recent Israeli airstrike.

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Economic Updates

• Federal Reserve & Leadership Controversy
  • The Fed commences a 2-day economic meeting, with an interest rate cut expected.
  • Fed Governor Lisa Cook remains in her role following a D.C. court panel’s decision.
    • [03:27] Tanya J. Powers:

      “The decision by the three-judge panel from the D.C. circuit Court of Appeals denied the Justice Department's request to put on hold a judge's order temporarily blocking President Trump from firing Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook. Cook...has been accused of mortgage fraud, a charge she denies. It’s the first time a president has tried to fire a member of the Federal Reserve Board since the central Bank's founding in 1913.”

• Other Fed Appointments and Markets
  • Stephen Myron to join the Fed following Senate confirmation.
  • Mixed stock futures follow record highs on the Nasdaq and S&P 500.

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Sports Briefs

• Monday Night Football
  • Tampa Bay defeats Houston, 20–19, with a last-minute touchdown.
  • LA Chargers beat Las Vegas, 20–9.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Confession Quote ([00:12], Garrett Henney quoting Robinson):

  “Hey guys, I have bad news for you all. It was me at UVU yesterday. I’m sorry for all of this. I’m surrendering through a sheriff friend in a few moments. Thanks for all the good times and laughs. You’ve all been amazing.”

• Pam Bondi on Hate Speech ([00:38]):

  “Hate speech that crosses the line into threats of violence is not protected by the First Amendment… That era is over and some could face a crackdown.”

• President Trump on Antifa ([01:08]):

  “I would do that 100% and others also, by the way. But Antifa is terrible.”

• President Trump on Restoring Chicago ([01:33]):

  “Chicago is a great city and we’re going to make it great again very soon.”

• Alex Hogan on Gaza Offensive ([02:30]):

  “The IDF is using an iron fist and Gaza City is burning.”

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Timestamps of Important Segments

• 00:02 – Charlie Kirk assassination confession coverage
• 00:38 – Hate speech, First Amendment legal outlook
• 00:55 – Antifa and domestic terrorism debate
• 01:19 – Trump federal crime crackdown and city interventions
• 01:42 – Venezuelan drug interdiction and state visit announcement
• 02:15 – UN accusation of genocide, Israeli reaction
• 02:30 – On-the-ground reporting from Gaza
• 02:59 – Secretary of State Rubio’s ceasefire push
• 03:27 – Federal Reserve controversy and court decision
• 03:52 – More on Fed appointments and market wrap-up
• 03:59 – Monday Night Football results

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Summary

This episode delivers rapid-fire coverage of a politically charged news cycle: a confession in the high-profile Charlie Kirk assassination case propels debates about hate speech and extremism, while President Trump signals aggressive legal and law enforcement action against perceived left-wing violence and urban crime. Simultaneously, international headlines detail the unfolding humanitarian and military crisis in Gaza, along with significant U.S. diplomatic and military maneuvers. Economic news centers on turbulence at the Federal Reserve and positive stock performance, while the sports wrap brings updates from the NFL.

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For continuous updates, listen hourly on FOX News Radio.

Transcript

[Dave Anthony]

He reportedly confessed. I'm Dave Anthony, FOX News. That's a big story before the suspected Charlie Kirk assassin Tyler Robinson goes to court today to face murder and other charges.

[Garrett Henney]

In messages, a pained by the Washington Post from an online group chat, the suspect told a group of about 30 people, hey guys, I have bad news for you all. It was me at UVU yesterday. I'm sorry for all of this. I'm surrendering through a sheriff friend in a few moments. Thanks for all the good times and laughs. You've all been amazing. We know the suspected killer also told at least a couple of people about his plans prior to the shooting.

[Dave Anthony]

Fox's Garrett Henney at the Utah County Jail. Attorney General Pam Bondi just posted on X Hate speech that crosses the line into threats of violence is not protected by the First Amendment, adding for far too long the radical left has normalized threats and shared political violence. That era is over and some could face a crackdown.

[Reporter/Interviewer]

Antifa isn't any one group. It's an umbrella term for supporters of a far left movement opposed to what they see as far right fascism. President Trump's asked by a reporter, does Charlie Kirk's assassination create an opportunity to label it as a domestic terrorist organization?

[Donald Trump]

I would do that 100% and others also, by the way. But Antifa is terrible.

[Reporter/Interviewer]

And he says again the Justice Department could bring racketeering charges against those groups, financial supporters.

[Dave Anthony]

Fox's Chris Foster. The president said that while announcing a new federal crackdown on crime in another city, like what he did in Washington, sending National Guard troops and federal agents to Memphis, Tennessee, supported by the Republican governor. He wants to go to Chicago next, but the Democratic Illinois governor doesn't want that.

[Donald Trump]

Chicago is a great city and we're going to make it great again very soon. And I think we can do that despite the tremendous size.

[Dave Anthony]

The president also announced the military blew up a second boat in two weeks off the coast of Venezuela suspected of transporting illegal drugs to the U.S. three people were killed. And later this hour, President Trump will leave the White House and head to London for a second state visit after one in his first term and include meetings with King Charles and the British prime minister. America's listening to FOX news.

[Guy Benson]

I'm Guy Benson in for Dana Perenno this week on Perennial on Politics. I'm joined by FOX News contributor, columnist and host of the Getting Hammered podcast, Mary Kathryn Ham. My dear friend, listen and follow [e-mail].

[Dave Anthony]

The UN Human Rights Council is calling out Israel after a new inquiry concludes. It's carrying out a genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, which Israel calls distorted and false as it ramps up its new offensive against Hamas in Gaza City.

[Alex Hogan]

After weeks of preparing for an increase of force, we are seeing this new ground offensive begin in Gaza. It was a night of heavy strikes overnight. The IDF says that it has started this new early phase of its ground offensive in Gaza City. The city's hospital today has reported 20 deaths and as many as 90 wounded. The IDF says the number of ground forces will rise in the coming days as they warn civilians to head south. Defense Minister Israel Katz today says the IDF is using an iron fist and that Gaza City is burning.

[Dave Anthony]

That's fox's Alex Hogan. Secretary of State Marco Rubio left Qatar today, where he he went after a two day visit to Israel. Rubio urged the Qataris to keep up a push for a Gaza ceasefire despite the simmering anger over last week's Israeli airstrike in that country targeting Hamas. The Federal Reserve is about to start a two day meeting assessing the economy expected to lead to an interest rate cut tomorrow. And Fed Governor Lisa Cook will be at the meeting still on the job, still resisting her dismissal, backed by an appeals court ruling.

[Tanya J. Powers]

The decision by the three judge panel from the D.C. circuit Court of Appeals denied the Justice Department's request to put on hold a judge's order temporarily blocking President Trump from firing Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook. Cook, who was appointed by President Biden, has been accused of mortgage fraud, a charge she denies. It's the first time a president has tried to fire a member of the Federal Reserve Board since the central Bank's founding in 1913. Tanya J.

[Dave Anthony]

Powers, FOX News Stephen Myron will also be at the Fed meeting the day after the Senate confirmed the chair of the White House Council of Economic Advisers as a Fed governor on Wall street stock futures. And mix the day after record highs for the Nasdaq and S&P 500. On Monday night Football, Tampa Bay beat Houston on a last touchdown 20 to 19. And then the LA Chargers top Las Vegas 20 to nine. I'm Dave Anthony, Fox News.

[Guy Benson]

This is Jason Chaffetz from the Jason in the House podcast. Join me every Monday to dive deeper into the latest political headlines and chat with remarkable guests. Listen and follow [e-mail] or wherever you download podcasts.