Fox News Hourly Update – December 31, 2025

Host: Tom Graham, FOX News Podcasts
Theme: Key national news updates, focusing on President Trump’s policy reversal regarding National Guard deployment, a Minnesota daycare fraud probe, New York’s new mayoral inauguration, economic news, international incidents, and notable obituaries.

1. President Trump Drops National Guard Push for Major Cities

• [00:02] Tom Graham reports that President Trump is “pulling back” efforts to deploy National Guard troops to Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland, Oregon, after facing multiple legal challenges.
  • Trump announced via a New Year's Eve Truth Social post that the Guard could return "when crime begins to soar again."
  • Notably, Guard troops sent to LA have already left following protests against deportations earlier this year.
  • In Chicago and Portland, the troops were never actively deployed as legal disputes halted their presence.

Quote:

“We will come back when crime begins to soar again.”
— Tom Graham quoting President Trump’s post [00:15]

2. Minnesota Daycare Fraud Probe and Congressional Hearing

• [00:34] The Department of Homeland Security is investigating allegations that some Minnesota daycare facilities misused government funds, accepting payments without providing child care.
• [00:43] The House Oversight Committee plans hearings. Republican Rep. Pat Fallon calls on Minnesota Governor Tim Walz to answer for the scandal:
  • Quote:

  "He's got to put his big boy pants on and get to D.C. and explaining the American people why under his watch, $9 billion were stolen largely from a Somali community that just got to the United States."
  — Rep. Pat Fallon [00:52]

• Governor Walz maintains Minnesota has battled rampant fraud for years.

3. New York City Mayoral Inauguration: Zorran Mamdani Takes Office

• [01:03] New York prepares to swear in Zorran Mamdani as mayor at midnight, highlighting a generational shift in the Democratic Party.
• [01:16] Alexis McAdams outlines Mamdani’s ambitious progressive agenda:
  • Plans include free child care, fare-free bus service, and rent freezes.
  • The feasibility of these pledges remains in question.
  • Mamdani is labeled “the new face of the Democratic Party.”
  • High-profile backers: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Bernie Sanders are involved in the inauguration.
  • Quote:

  “This is some of the stuff he has in his progressive agenda, including free child care, those free buses we've talked about and those rent freezes. Can he even deliver? So we're gonna have to see what happens in the new year.”
  — Alexis McAdams [01:16]

• [01:41] Letitia James, New York Attorney General, will swear in Mamdani on Wall Street.

4. Financial Markets End on a Low Note for 2025

• [01:44] Tom Graham recaps market activity:
  • Dow Jones drops 304 points
  • NASDAQ falls by 177 points
  • S&P dips 51 points

5. U.S. Sanctions and Pentagon Actions in Venezuela

• [02:05] Tom Graham details newly announced U.S. sanctions on four Venezuelan oil firms, per the treasury department, as Trump administration increases pressure on Venezuela for alleged drug trafficking gains.
• The Pentagon continues operations against suspected drug transport vessels since September.

6. International Incident: German Bank Heist

• [02:45] Stephanie Bennett covers a high-stakes theft in Germany:
  • Over 3,000 safety deposit boxes (95% of inventory) ransacked after thieves drilled through a wall; at least $11-$105 million stolen.
  • 2,700 customers affected and many protest outside the bank.
  • Most boxes only insured for $12,000; customers may need to seek private coverage.
  • Quote:

  “Police and bank officials say at least 2,700 customers were impacted by this.... They didn't find a fire, but a massive hole in the wall and the vault was ransacked.”
  — Stephanie Bennett [02:45]

• Arrests have been reported.

7. Diplomatic Tensions: African Nations Ban Americans

• [03:30] Mali and Burkina Faso implement simultaneous bans on American citizens, reacting to expanded U.S. travel restrictions affecting over 20 countries.
  • Move described as a “diplomatic tit for tat.”

8. Obituary: Richard Smallwood, Gospel Legend

• [03:47] Tom Graham reports the passing of gospel musician Richard Smallwood at age 77 due to kidney failure.
  • Smallwood, eight-time Grammy nominee, collaborated with Whitney Houston, Stevie Wonder, and Destiny's Child.
  • Memorable addition:

  "Smallwood wrote and arranged music performances. My artists, including Whitney Houston, Stevie Wonder and Destiny's Child, among many others."
  — Tom Graham [03:47]

Notable Quotes

• Rep. Pat Fallon (re: MN daycare fraud):

  "He's got to put his big boy pants on and get to D.C. and explaining the American people why under his watch, $9 billion were stolen largely from a Somali community that just got to the United States." [00:52]

• Alexis McAdams (on NY's new mayor):

  “This is some of the stuff he has in his progressive agenda, including free child care, those free buses we've talked about and those rent freezes. Can he even deliver? So we're gonna have to see what happens in the new year.” [01:16]

• Stephanie Bennett (on German bank heist):

  "Police and bank officials say at least 2,700 customers were impacted by this... a massive hole in the wall and the vault was ransacked." [02:45]

Key Segments & Timestamps

• President Trump pulls back on National Guard deployment – [00:02]
• MN daycare fraud and congressional response – [00:34]
• Zorran Mamdani’s NYC mayoral inauguration – [01:03]
• Market recap – [01:44]
• U.S. sanctions on Venezuelan oil sector, Pentagon actions – [02:05]
• German bank heist – [02:45]
• Mali and Burkina Faso diplomatic bans – [03:30]
• Richard Smallwood’s passing – [03:47]

This concise update episode covers major national and international headlines, political developments, and notable figures, with a straight-to-the-point tone and matter-of-fact delivery typical of FOX News.