Fox News Hourly Update – 9PM ET 01/03/2026

Host: Angelo Bavaro (FOX News Podcasts)
Date: January 4, 2026

Episode Overview

This newscast focuses on the dramatic capture and arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife in a U.S. military raid. It explores the U.S. government’s immediate plans, international and domestic political reactions, debates about congressional oversight, and lighter coverage of coincidental “pizza signals” near the Pentagon. The episode captures the rapidly-evolving situation in Venezuela and the reverberations it is sending through U.S. and world politics.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Capture of Nicolás Maduro in US Raid

• Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife were captured in New York by a U.S. military operation.
• Both are set to face narco-terrorism charges.

“Venezuela's president and his wife are in New York set to face narco terrorism charges after their overnight capture and arrest in a daring US Military raid.”
– Angelo Bavaro (00:02)

2. President Trump’s Statement and Threat of Further Action

• President Trump signals readiness for additional military force, emphasizing preparedness and willingness to escalate if needed.

“We are ready to stage a second and much larger attack if we need to do so. So we were prepared to do a second wave if we needed to do so.”
– President Trump (00:16)

• Announces the U.S. will administer Venezuela until a “safe transition of power”.

“President Trump also says the US Will run Venezuela until a safe transition of power.”
– Angelo Bavaro (00:31)

3. Plans for Venezuela’s Reconstruction

• Discussion about American involvement in rebuilding Venezuela, especially its oil infrastructure.
• U.S. oil companies expected to play a significant role.
• Embargo on Venezuelan oil remains; regional military forces remain on high alert to maintain stability.

“He said there is still a full embargo on Venezuelan oil and that there is a ready force posture in the region to make sure that this doesn't devolve into a destabilized situation.”
– Spike (Reporter) (00:37)

4. Political Reactions: Domestic and International

• Domestic Opposition:
  • NYC Mayor Zoram Mamdani breaks publicly with President Trump, condemning the attack as illegal:

"Unilaterally attacking a sovereign nation is an act of war and a violation of federal and international law."
– Zoram Mamdani, NYC Mayor (as quoted by Jackie Heinrich, 01:15)

• Mamdani joins other Democrats criticizing the action.

• International Support:

  • Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu praises Trump:

“I salute your decisive resolve and the brilliant action of your brave soldiers.”
– PM Netanyahu (paraphrased by Fox, 01:27)

5. Congressional Oversight Controversy

• Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries claim Congress was not adequately informed prior to the mission.
• President Trump’s briefing described as "rambling" and contradictory.

“The briefing in its ramblingness, in its lack of specificity, in its contradiction from known facts on the ground was so troubled, so deeply troubled.”
– President Trump quoting Schumer (03:13)

• Secretary of State Marco Rubio defends the administration’s call for operational secrecy:

"This was not the kind of mission that you can do congressional notification on... It was a trigger-based mission in which conditions had to be met night after night."
– Marco Rubio (03:40)

• Senate to debate presidential war powers next week.

6. Quirky Coverage: Pentagon Pizza Surge

• Shortly after the attack, a well-known Arlington pizza place noticed a spike in orders, with pundits noting this often coincides with significant Pentagon activity.
• “Washington pizza theory” brought up as an anecdotal indicator of major events.

7. Other News: DC Police Incident

• DC police sergeant Kayla Cruz was arrested after a road rage incident; a loaded gun found in her vehicle.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• President Trump on Second Wave:
  “We are ready to stage a second and much larger attack if we need to do so.” – (00:16)

• Zoram Mamdani on U.S. Action:
  “Unilaterally attacking a sovereign nation is an act of war and a violation of federal and international law.” – (01:15, via Jackie Heinrich)

• Marco Rubio on Notification:
  "It was a trigger-based mission...just simply not the kind of mission you can call people and say, hey, we may do this at some point in the next 15 days." – (03:40)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 00:02 – Breaking news: Maduro captured, faces charges
• 00:16 – Trump threatens further military action
• 00:31 – U.S. to oversee Venezuela transition
• 00:37 – Rebuilding Venezuela and oil ambitions
• 01:15 – Domestic backlash: Mamdani, Democrats oppose; Netanyahu praises
• 03:02 – Congressional criticism; Schumer and Jeffries
• 03:40 – Rubio defends administration secrecy
• 03:54 – Senate to debate war powers
• 04:00 – Pentagon pizza surge, DC crime update

Overall Tone and Takeaway

The episode is fast-paced and urgent, reflecting a breaking-news environment. The tone emphasizes dramatic geopolitical shifts, tense U.S. domestic politics, and ongoing uncertainty about the region’s future. The language is direct and occasionally combative, especially in political commentary.

For listeners: This newscast delivers a concise yet in-depth update on the U.S.-led capture of Venezuela’s president, the resulting political fallout, and the debates raging over war powers and international law.