Fox News Hourly Update

Episode: A Power Struggle Off the US Venezuela Coast
Date: December 22, 2025
Host: FOX News Podcasts (Dave Anthony)

Episode Overview

This edition of the Fox News Hourly Update focuses on emerging geopolitical tensions involving the US, Venezuela, and Russia, and covers fresh moves by the Trump administration on both energy and immigration. Other highlights include a major assassination in Moscow linked to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Denmark’s reaction to a new US diplomatic appointment, and holiday travel and economic updates.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Offshore Power Struggle: Energy Policy and National Security

• US crackdown on black market oil near Venezuela:

  • US Military is pursuing a third oil tanker suspected of carrying sanctioned oil under a false flag. This follows the seizure of a second tanker over the weekend.
  • Dave Anthony (00:03): "The US Military keeps pursuing a third oil tanker off Venezuela's coast said to be flying a false flag carrying sanctioned oil."

• Suspension of offshore wind projects:

  • Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced the suspension of leases for five large offshore wind projects due to unspecified national security concerns, citing classified information from the War Department.
  • Doug Burgum (as paraphrased by Dave Anthony, 00:12): "We're sending notifications to the five large offshore wind projects... their leases will be suspended due to national security concerns."

• US government cooperation:

  • Coordination between Interior and War Departments is underscored as the US aims to both enforce sanctions and send a global message against illegal activity.
  • Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem (00:44):

    "The Department of War has been fantastic partners in making sure we're not just interdicting these ships, but we're also sending a message around the world that the illegal activity that Bandero's participating in cannot stand. He needs to be gone."

2. Immigration Developments

• Holiday self-deportation incentive:
  • The Trump administration triples the cash incentive—now $3,000 plus a plane ticket—for immigrants to self-deport over the holidays. Available even to those not currently detained, provided they lack criminal charges.
  • Secretary Kristi Noem (01:10):

    "We'll buy you a ticket, give you $3,000 to go home. And that includes people that have not been detained, maybe have interacted with us, are detained and don't have criminal charges against them."

3. Russia-Ukraine: High-profile Car Bombing in Moscow

• Assassination of Russian general:

  • News breaks of a Russian general killed by a car bombing in Moscow, with potential Ukrainian involvement being investigated. He is the third senior officer assassinated in just over a year.
  • Jonathan Savage, Fox News (01:27):

    "He's the third senior officer to be kill in just over a year. In December 2024, the head of Moscow's nuclear, biological and chemical weapons program died when a bomb hidden on a scooter went off outside his apartment. A car bomb killed a deputy head in the general staff in April."

• Diplomatic talks in Miami:

  • There was another US-mediated attempt to end Russia's war in Ukraine, with officials from both sides meeting in Miami.

4. Flooding in California

• Severe weather update:
  • Northern California faces more flooding, with casualties and water rescues already reported.
  • Dave Anthony (01:45):

    "There's been flooding in Northern California and forecasters warn of more. One person was killed in reading. Others needed water rescue."

5. US-Greenland Relations: Diplomatic Strain with Denmark

• Appointment of special envoy to Greenland:
  • President Trump appoints Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as the new US special envoy to Greenland, continuing efforts to exert more US control over the Danish territory, largely for its strategic and resource value. The announcement drew a negative response from Denmark, which firmly states Greenland is not for sale.
  • Eben Brown, Fox News (02:21):

    "President Trump is naming Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as the US Special envoy to Greenland... The president believes the vast island to be a strategic location... Denmark, however, insists the territory is not for sale."

6. Holiday Travel and Economy

• Holiday travel crunch:
  • AAA projects more than 122 million Americans will travel during the Christmas and New Year's season, most by car but nearly 8 million by plane. Top destinations include Florida, Southern California, and Hawaii.
  • Tanya J. Powers, Fox News (03:08):

    "AAA says more than 122 million of us are expected to travel during the Christmas and New Year's holiday travel period... Florida, Southern California and Hawaii top the list of domestic destinations for the holidays."

  • Note: Flight prices are up nearly 7% from last year.
• Current flight status and Wall Street update:
  • 83 flights canceled and almost 1,000 delays currently.
  • Stock futures are rising.

7. Sports Recap

• Key NFL results:
  • Patriots beat Baltimore 28–24, clinching a playoff spot. Steelers and Jaguars both continue strong performances; Houston and Carolina lead their divisions.
  • Dave Anthony (03:37):

    "The New England Patriots punch their ticket to the playoffs, beating Baltimore 28 24, putting the Ravens two games back of AFC north leading Pittsburgh. The Steelers beat Detroit 29 24. Denver's 11 game win streaks over..."

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the crackdown at sea:
  • "We're not just interdicting these ships, but we're also sending a message around the world that the illegal activity... cannot stand." — Kristi Noem (00:44)
• On wind project suspension:
  • "We're sending notifications to the five large offshore wind projects... their leases will be suspended due to national security concerns." — Doug Burgum (as cited, 00:12)
• On self-deportation:
  • "We'll buy you a ticket, give you $3,000 to go home." — Kristi Noem (01:10)
• On US envoy to Greenland:
  • "The president believes the vast island to be a strategic location vital to both North Atlantic shipping routes... Denmark, however, insists the territory is not for sale." — Eben Brown (02:21)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 00:03–00:44: US-Venezuela oil crackdown & wind project suspension
• 00:44–01:21: Homeland Security on oil, immigration incentives
• 01:21–01:45: Russian general’s assassination, Ukraine talks
• 01:45–02:00: California flooding
• 02:21–03:03: US-Greenland diplomatic appointment
• 03:03–03:37: Holiday travel update
• 03:37–03:58: Markets, NFL updates

Summary Tone

Straightforward, urgent, and policy-focused—matching the brisk, news-heavy delivery style of Fox News Radio.

This episode delivers a snapshot of American political maneuvers on energy, sanctions, and immigration, set against a background of international intrigue and domestic holiday bustle.