Department of Transportation Expects a Busy Week of Holiday Travel

Summary

Fox News Hourly Update

Episode: Department of Transportation Expects a Busy Week of Holiday Travel
Date: November 24, 2025
Host: Tom Graham

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Overview

This episode provides a fast-moving update on the top news stories heading into the Thanksgiving holiday week in the United States. Key themes include the record-setting surge in travel expected, legal updates involving prominent political figures, international diplomatic developments, and a glance at the stock market. The tone is brisk, urgent, and focused on headlines.

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Key Discussion Points

1. Massive Thanksgiving Travel Expected

• Travel Forecast:
  An estimated 73 million Americans are expected to travel by plane, train, and car this week, according to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. Travelers are packing airports over the weekend, with TSA screening record numbers.

  • Tom Graham (00:02):
    “An estimated 73 million Americans hitting the road this Thanksgiving week. That’s according to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.”

  • Sean Duffy (00:15):
    “TSA screened about two and a half million passengers each day. That number could top 3 million in the days ahead… Tomorrow will be the busiest for air travel with 52,000 flights.”

  • Weather Concerns:
    Duffy warns of possible disruptions due to storms in the Midwest and possibly along the East Coast.

2. Legal and Political Developments

• Dismissal of High-Profile Criminal Case:
  A federal judge dismisses the criminal case against New York Attorney General Letitia James and former FBI Director James Comey. The judge found the appointment of the interim Virginia prosecutor, who brought the charges, to be illegal.

  • Tom Graham (00:33):
    “A federal judge dismissing the criminal case against New York Attorney General Letitia James and former FBI Director James Comey. He posted on Instagram, ‘I’m innocent, I am not afraid. And I believe in an independent federal judiciary. The gift from our founders that protects us from a would-be tyrant.’ Critics of President Trump accusing the administration of targeting his political opponents.”

• Investigation into Senator Mark Kelly:

  • The Department of War (Pentagon) is investigating allegations of misconduct against Senator Mark Kelly, following his appearance in a video where he said service members could refuse illegal orders.

    • Jessica Rosenthal (01:16): “The Department of War says in a statement they’ve received allegations of misconduct against Senator Mark Kelly and they’re determining whether to call him back to active duty for a court martial.”

    • Mark Kelly (01:30): “You can refuse illegal orders.”

    • Pentagon’s Position:
      Retirees are prohibited from actions that interfere with the armed forces’ discipline and loyalty.

    • President Trump called the video “seditious” and asserted the lawmakers “should be in jail.”
      Kelly responded, insisting his comments were consistent with the rule of law and that he “will not be intimidated”.

3. US-China Diplomacy

• Trump and Xi Jinping Phone Call & Visit:
  • President Trump plans to visit Beijing in April and will also host President Xi Jinping for a US state visit. Both leaders spoke by phone amid ongoing trade and tariff tensions.
  • Ryan Schmelz (03:11): “The Chinese president also clarified China’s stance on Taiwan by emphasizing that Taiwan’s return to control under China is an important component to the post-war international order. The United States has been firm in its opposition to that.”

4. Russia-Ukraine War Negotiations

• US-Ukrainian Envoy Talks in Geneva:

  • American leaders meet Ukrainian envoys in Switzerland to discuss a possible deal to end the war between Russia and Ukraine.

    • Mark Kelly (03:51): “The president’s POV on this is that nobody is ever going to be happy at the end of a bloody war, but that just ending the bloodshed makes whatever the final deal is worth it.”

    • The Vice President is increasingly involved in these peace efforts.

    • Critics argue the deal doesn’t require enough concessions from Russia.

• Upcoming Visit: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected at the White House this week.

5. Epstein Investigation

• Renewed DOJ Push for Transparency:
  • The Justice Department is pushing to unseal grand jury material related to Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking case. Congress recently passed a measure for more disclosure, and President Trump signed a bill mandating release of the files within 30 days.

6. Other Highlights

• Real Estate Segment:
  (Sponsored content) Skipped as per instructions.

• Stock Market:

  • Tom Graham (04:24):
    “On Wall Street, stocks finishing in the green. The Dow up 203 points.”

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Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• Sean Duffy (00:15):
  “TSA screened about two and a half million passengers each day. That number could top 3 million in the days ahead.”
• Letitia James (via Instagram, paraphrased by Tom Graham, 00:33):
  “I’m innocent, I am not afraid. And I believe in an independent federal judiciary. The gift from our founders that protects us from a would-be tyrant.”
• Mark Kelly (01:30):
  “You can refuse illegal orders.”
• Jessica Rosenthal (01:32):
  “The Pentagon says even retirees are prohibited from actions that interfere with the loyalty, morale, or good order and discipline of the armed forces.”
• Ryan Schmelz (03:11):
  “According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry. President Xi believes the relationship between the two countries remains stable and improved amid a back and forth on trade and tariffs.”
• Mark Kelly (03:51):
  “The president’s POV on this is that nobody is ever going to be happy at the end of a bloody war, but that just ending the bloodshed makes whatever the final deal is worth it.”

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Important Timestamps

| Time | Topic | |---------|---------------------------------------------------------| | 00:02 | Thanksgiving travel surge, TSA, potential weather issues| | 00:33 | Letitia James/James Comey case dismissal | | 01:16 | Mark Kelly investigation and Pentagon’s response | | 03:11 | US-China diplomacy, Taiwan comments | | 03:42 | Ukraine peace talks, critique of proposed deal | | 04:24 | Epstein files, stock market update |

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Summary

This news-packed episode covers urgent travel advisories for Thanksgiving, the dismissal of a politically charged legal case, investigations into a prominent senator’s conduct, updates on US-China and Russia-Ukraine diplomacy, and new transparency mandates around the Epstein case. The reporting style is succinct and factual, delivering listeners the top headlines and pivotal quotes in rapid succession.

Transcript

[Tom Graham]

Going by plane, train and car. I'm Tom Graham, FOX news. An estimated 73 million Americans hitting the road this Thanksgiving week. That's according to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. Travelers also packing the airports over the weekend.

[Sean Duffy]

TSA screened about two and a half million passengers each day. That number could top 3 million in the days ahead. The secretary says tomorrow will be the busiest for air travel with 52,000 flights. Later this week, the secretary noted that there are some storms expected in the Midwest, maybe along the east coast.

[Tom Graham]

Fox's Grady Trimble at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, a federal judge dismissing the criminal case against New York Attorney General Leticia James and former FBI Director James Comey. He posted on Instagram, I'm innocent, I am not afraid. And I believe in an independent federal judiciary. The gift from our founders that protects us from a would be tyrant. Critics of President Trump accusing the administration of targeting his political opponents. The judge ruled the interim Virginia prosecutor who brought the charges had been illegally appointed by the Justice Department. The Department of War says it's investigating former US Navy captain and Arizona Democratic Senator Mark Kelly after he was one of several Democrats who encouraged service members to refuse potentially illegal orders from President Trump.

[Jessica Rosenthal]

The Department of War says in a statement they've received allegations of misconduct against Senator Mark Kelly and they're determining whether to call him back to active duty for a court martial. They don't reference the video he recently appeared in in their statement in which he says our laws are clear.

[Mark Kelly]

You can refuse illegal orders.

[Jessica Rosenthal]

But the Pentagon says even retirees are prohibited from actions interfere with the loyalty, morale or good order and discipline of the armed forces. President Trump initially called the video seditious. While he'd said sedition could be punishable by death, he later wrote these lawmakers should be in jail. Kelly said on a Sunday talk show he will not be intimidated and that all they did was reiterate what is already the rule of law. Jessica Rosenthal, FOX NEWS America's listening to FOX news.

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[Tom Graham]

One most trusted app based on August 2024 proprietary survey. Over 500,000 new listings every month based on average new for sale and rental listings. February 2024 through January 2025 President Trump says he will visit Beijing in April and host China's President Xi Jinping for a US State visit. The two leaders spoke via phone this.

[Ryan Schmelz]

Morning, the White House confirming to Fox News President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke by phone. According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry. President Xi believes the relationship between the two countries remains stable and improved amid a back and forth on trade and tariffs. The Chinese president also clarified China's stance on Taiwan by emphasizing that Taiwan's return to control under China is an important component to the post war international order. The United States has been firm in its opposition to that. At the White House, Ryan schmelz, Fox.

[Tom Graham]

News U.S. officials meeting with Ukrainian envoys in Geneva, Switzerland to discuss a proposed deal aimed at ending the war between Russia and Ukraine. Fox's Peter Doocy at the White House.

[Mark Kelly]

The president's POV on this is that nobody is ever going to be happy at the end of a bloody war, but that just ending the bloodshed makes whatever the final deal is worth it. The vice president is more and more involved with peacemaking efforts now. Writes after four years of House prices doubling and in some areas tripling, many young people feel priced out of the American dream of home ownership. The political class is really angry that the Trump administration may finally bring a four year conflict in Eastern Europe to a close. I'm not even talking about the substance of their views. Much of what these people have said about the Ukraine war has been proven wrong. But whatever.

[Tom Graham]

The Trump administration has spent months pushing both sides to come to a peace deal. Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to visit the White House this week. Critics of the administration's proposal say it does not require enough concessions from Russia. The Justice Department renewing its request on seal. Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking grand jury material. Congress recently passed a measure demanding more disclosure. President Trump signed a bill to release the Epstein files within 30 days. On Wall street, stocks finishing in the green. The Dow up 203 points on Tom Graham. This is FOX News.

[Jessica Rosenthal]

This is Ainsley Earhart. Thank you for joining me for the 52 episode podcast series, the Life of.

[Tom Graham]

Jesus, A listening experience that will provide hope, comfort and understanding of the greatest story ever told. Listen and follow starting November 30th on foxnewspodcasts.com.