Fox News Hourly Update – 9PM ET 12/03/2025 Newscast

Overview
This episode of the Fox News Hourly Update delivers an intense rundown of key national news highlights, with a continued focus on national security, immigration policy, a Supreme Court free speech case, and tributes to a WWII veteran. Hosted by Lisa Lacera, the newscast features direct statements from officials and succinct field reporting.

Major Topics and Highlights

1. Terrorism Arrests & Operation Allies Welcome Safety Concerns

• Virginia Arrest:
  • John Shah Safi, an Afghan refugee resettled under Operation Allies Welcome, is taken into custody in Virginia on charges of supporting ISIS and commanding an Afghan militia group.
  • Kristi Noem, DHS Secretary (00:10):
    “ICE has arrested John Shah Safi, saying he's a supporter of ISIS and that he commanded an Afghan militia group... Safi entered the US under Operation Allies Welcome... now the third person admitted through the program to be detained in the last several days.”
  • Details on two additional recent detainees from the same resettlement:
    • Mohammed Alakozay: Arrested in Fort Worth, Texas, for a TikTok bomb threat (Nov 25).
    • Ramanula Lakhanwal: Arrested in Washington, D.C., as the National Guard shooting suspect (Nov 26).

2. Possible Expansion of Trump-Era Travel Ban

• DHS Consideration:

  • Assistant Homeland Security Secretary Trisha McLaughlin explains the administration is examining data for further expansion of travel restrictions.
  • Trisha McLaughlin (01:00):
    “We're certainly looking at the data and analysis... looking at the leading indicators of what makes someone a public charge, a public safety threat, potentially terrorism as well, and where these individuals are located in our country.”

• Executive Order Recap:

  • President Trump’s June directive bans travel from 19 countries (notably including Venezuela, Haiti, Sudan).

3. Defense Policy: Venezuela Drug Interdiction Strikes

• Pete Hegseth, Secretary of War:

  • He addresses criticism over military strikes on suspected Venezuelan drug boats, including striking one twice.
  • Pete Hegseth (01:27):
    “I support the decision to knock out the boats and whoever is piloting those boats, most of them are gone. But whoever piloting those boats, they're guilty of trying to kill people in our country.”

• Further Explanation:

  • Hegseth clarifies he left after the initial strike, and the commander acted within their authority for the subsequent hit.

4. Thunderbirds Crash - California

• An elite Air Force Thunderbirds fighter jet crashes in the Southern California desert; the pilot ejects safely. No further detail provided.
  • Lisa Lacera (01:38):
    “A fighter jet with the Air Force's elite Thunderbirds demonstration squadron crashed in the Southern California desert. The military pilot ejected safely.”

5. Immigration Enforcement & Law Enforcement

• Chicago-Area Case:
  • Radul Bajovic, a Hanover Park, IL police officer and Montenegrin native, was detained in October during an ICE sweep but is now reinstated.
  • Jeff Manasso (02:57):
    “The illegal immigrant, it turns out, is also a Hanover park police officer whose bond was not contested and who now remains authorized to work by the federal government. The Hanover Park Police Department determined that he could return to duty.”

6. Presidential Pardons & Political Tactics

• Congressman Henry Cuellar:
  • Texas Democrat, indicted for bribery alongside his wife, receives a pardon from President Trump.
  • Trump claims the indictment was linked to Cuellar’s opposition to President Biden's immigration policies.

7. Supreme Court Case: Free Speech & Protest Zones

• Origins:
  • Preacher Gabriel Olivier challenges Brandon, Mississippi’s “protest zone” law that limited his outreach.
  • Jessica Rosenthal (03:54):
    “He left the designated area claiming no one could see or hear him there. Olivier was then arrested. He pled no contest, but then later filed a claim against the city saying his First Amendment rights had been violated.”
  • Current status: A judge tossed the challenge due to precedent that prevents challenging a law post-conviction.

8. Honoring Charles Shea – D-Day Veteran

• Obituary:
  • Charles Shea, a decorated Native American WWII veteran known for bravery at Omaha Beach, dies at 101 in Normandy, France.
  • Narrator (about Shea) (04:44):
    “He was 101.”

Notable Quotes and Moments

• Kristi Noem (00:10):
  “ICE has arrested John Shah Safi, saying he's a supporter of ISIS... now the third person admitted through the program to be detained in the last several days.”

• Trisha McLaughlin (01:00):
  “We're certainly looking at the data and analysis with looking at the leading indicators of what makes someone a public charge, a public safety threat, potentially terrorism as well...”

• Pete Hegseth (01:27):
  “Most of them are gone. But whoever piloting those boats, they're guilty of trying to kill people in our country.”

• Jeff Manasso (02:57):
  “The illegal immigrant, it turns out, is also a Hanover park police officer whose bond was not contested and who now remains authorized to work by the federal government.”

Key Timestamps

• 00:02–01:12: Breaking news on terrorism-related arrests and travel ban expansion
• 01:12–01:38: Venezuela drug boat strikes and military collision news
• 02:53–03:32: Police officer immigration case and update
• 03:32–03:54: Congressional pardon for Henry Cuellar
• 03:54–04:34: Supreme Court case on free speech/protest zones
• 04:34–04:45: Tribute to WWII veteran Charles Shea

Summary:
This newscast provides a concise but info-packed update on prominent national security incidents involving Afghan refugees, shifting immigration and travel policies, military actions, legal and political controversies, and a solemn moment honoring American history. The reporting blends direct official statements with factual updates, capturing the network’s urgent and serious tone.