Fox News Hourly Update – December 23, 2025

Episode Theme:
The main focus of this episode is breaking news about the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling restricting the Trump administration from deploying National Guard troops in support of immigration enforcement in Illinois. The episode also features coverage of a major legal win for sanctuary states, an explosion at a Pennsylvania nursing home, holiday travel updates, the announcement of President Trump’s “Golden Fleet” battleships, and a Wall Street update.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Supreme Court Blocks National Guard Deployment in Illinois

• [00:02] Tom Ragati reports that the Supreme Court has refused the Trump administration’s emergency request to permit deployment of National Guard troops in Chicago targeting illegal immigration.

  • The justices declined to overturn prior decisions from a U.S. District judge and an appeals court that both blocked the troop deployment.
  • This moves checks the executive branch’s efforts to influence immigration enforcement at the state and local levels.

  Tom Ragati (00:02): “The Supreme Court is refusing to allow the Trump administration to deploy National Guard troops in the Chicago area to support its illegal immigration crackdown.”

2. Federal Funding and Sanctuary States

• [00:35] Jared Halpern covers a Rhode Island judge’s ruling barring the administration from withholding federal grants from states with sanctuary policies.

  • 12 state attorneys general had challenged the administration’s attempt to “punish” non-cooperating states by cutting grants.
  • Judge Mary McElroy called the administration’s approach “unconscionable and unlawful.”
  • This strengthens sanctuary states’ positions against federal pressure on immigration policy.

  Jared Halpern (00:41): “Judge Mary McElroy says holding funding hostage solely on what appears to be political whims is unconscionable and unlawful.”

3. Pennsylvania Nursing Home Explosion

• [01:07] Live report on a serious explosion in Bristol, Pennsylvania, at the Silver Lake Nursing Home.

  • Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro is on the scene; gas smell was noted before the explosion.
  • [01:36] Eyewitness Ainsley Earhart describes the damages:

    Ainsley Earhart (01:36): “The dining hall, the admissions part to the hospital is going. All the windows are blown out. I’m just praying for everybody at the nursing home.”

  • Ongoing rescue efforts; parts of the building collapsed and people are confirmed to be inside.
  • Officials have launched an investigation and rescue operation.

  Josh Shapiro (01:43): “Officials say part of the building has collapsed and that people are inside. An investigation and rescues are underway.”

4. Holiday Travel Surge & Flight Delays

• [03:14] At Chicago O’Hare, holiday air travel is heavy but not breaking all-time records yet.

  • Notable drop in cancellations compared to previous days, but thousands of delays persist.
  • TSA screening numbers reaching 2.7 million daily, below the post-Thanksgiving peak.

  Ainsley Earhart (03:14): “Yesterday there were only 133 [cancellations] compared to Friday’s 865... We’ve been hovering around the 2.7 million passenger mark screened each of the last four days. That’s not quite breaking the record just yet of 3.1 million people screened the Sunday after Thanksgiving.”

• Hawaii is identified as the most popular holiday travel destination.

5. “Golden Fleet” Battleships Announcement

• [04:00] Max Gordon reports on President Trump’s ambitious naval expansion – the brand new “Trump class” battleships.

  • First two ships to begin construction in the early 2030s; still in the design phase.
  • Ships touted as “100 times more powerful” than previous models, to include railguns, lasers, hypersonic, and nuclear missiles.
  • The Navy aims to build 20–25 ships. While Trump denies they target China, analysis suggests strategic implications.

  Max Gordon (04:09): “President Trump says that these new Trump class battleships will be 100 times more powerful than any other battleship previously constructed. Equipped with advanced weaponry including railguns, lasers, hypersonic missiles and nuclear missiles.”

6. Wall Street Update

• [04:36] Tom Ragati: U.S. markets achieve new highs following positive economic growth data.
  • S&P 500 up 0.5%, NASDAQ rises by 133 points.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Tom Ragati (00:02):
  “The Supreme Court is refusing to allow the Trump administration to deploy National Guard troops in the Chicago area to support its illegal immigration crackdown.”

• Jared Halpern (00:41):
  “Judge Mary McElroy says holding funding hostage solely on what appears to be political whims is unconscionable and unlawful.”

• Ainsley Earhart (01:36):
  “The dining hall, the admissions part to the hospital is going. All the windows are blown out. I’m just praying for everybody at the nursing home.”

• Max Gordon (04:09):
  “President Trump says that these new Trump class battleships will be 100 times more powerful than any other battleship previously constructed.”

Important Timestamps

• 00:02: Supreme Court ruling on National Guard deployment
• 00:35: Sanctuary states win in federal funding case
• 01:13–01:50: Pennsylvania nursing home explosion coverage
• 03:14: Holiday air travel report
• 04:00: Announcement of Trump’s “Golden Fleet” battleships
• 04:36: Wall Street market summary

Summary

This packed update delivers major national news with impactful legal, political, and societal consequences. From the Supreme Court’s rebuke of federal overreach to emotional eyewitness testimony from a Pennsylvania disaster, the episode maintains high relevance and urgency. Insightful reporting on both travel and defense developments, as well as positive economic indicators, round out the hour. The tone is direct, urgent, and ensures listeners remain informed on pressing national issues.