Fox News Hourly Update – June 24, 2025

Release Date: June 24, 2025
Host/Author: Fox News Radio
Title: The White House Denies DIA Assessment on Iran Strikes

1. White House Rejects DIA's Assessment on Iran Nuclear Strikes

Lisa Licera opens the episode with a critical national security update:

"The White House is denying claims from the Defense Intelligence Agency that the US strikes on Iran only set back its nuclear program by months."
[00:02]

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth fiercely counters the DIA's preliminary assessment:

"He now says based on everything we have seen and I've seen it all, our bombing campaign obliterated Iran's ability to to create nuclear weapons. Our massive bombs hit exactly the right spot at each target and worked perfectly. The impact of those bombs is buried under a mountain of rubble in Iran. So anyone who says the bombs were not devastating is just trying to undermine the president and the successful mission."
[00:20]

Hegseth emphasizes the effectiveness of the U.S. military actions against Iran's nuclear facilities, dismissing the DIA's reports as attempts to undermine presidential decisions.

Lisa Licera continues, noting the lack of response from other intelligence agencies:

"The CIA and the Office of Director of National Intelligence declined to comment on the DIA assessment."
[00:44]

This denial sets the stage for ongoing debates about the impact of U.S. military actions on Iran's nuclear ambitions.

2. President Trump's Stance at the NATO Summit

Jonathan Savage reports from The Hague, highlighting President Trump's position at the NATO summit:

"The president argues European NATO members should do more to protect themselves."
[00:59]

The summit's primary focus is securing commitments from NATO members to allocate 5% of their GDP to defense spending:

"This summit is centered around agreeing on a target of each country spending 5% of its GDP on security."
[00:59]

Despite questions about the alliance's Article 5, which states that an attack on one member is an attack on all, the president remains non-committal on this matter, urging allies to take greater responsibility for their own defense.

3. Scorching Temperatures Grip the United States

Katie Byrne from Fox Weather provides an update on extreme weather conditions affecting the country:

"Central Park hit a record high temperature previously set in 1888 during the peak of the heat wave Tuesday."
[01:23]

Lisa Licera adds context to the nationwide heatwave:

"The eastern part of the country is sweltering with temperatures in New York City reaching 100 degrees."
[01:09]

High humidity levels exacerbate the heat, with the National Weather Service reporting that nearly 40 U.S. cities broke temperature records yesterday. The intense heatwave is a significant concern for public health and infrastructure.

4. Crime and Security Update

A sobering report on recent criminal activities:

"A man charged with helping another man accused of bombing a California fertility clinic has died after he was found unresponsive in federal custody."
[01:23]

Lisa Licera provides details:

"Daniel Park was arrested earlier this month after he was extradited from Poland, where he fled following the attack."
[01:23]

The incident underscores ongoing security challenges and the complexities involved in international law enforcement cooperation.

5. Economic Indicators and Market Movements

Lisa Licera shifts focus to the economy:

"Wall Street stocks approached all-time highs as oil prices eased further in hopes Israel's war with Iran will not disrupt the flow of crude oil."
[01:23]

The Dow Jones Industrial Average saw a significant increase:

"The Dow added 507 points."
[01:23]

This surge reflects investor optimism that regional conflicts will not adversely affect global oil supplies, thereby stabilizing energy markets.

6. Legislative Developments: The "One Big Beautiful Bill"

Lisa Licera discusses changes to President Trump's ambitious legislative package:

"President Trump's so-called one big beautiful bill is going through some changes."
[02:15]

Ryan Schmell elaborates on the Senate's actions:

"The Senate parliamentarian is stripping some key provisions from the massive tax and spending package. An effort to defund the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and a repeal of certain EPA emissions standards will be removed because of the Byrd rule, which dictates only budget-related issues can be part of the reconciliation process, which allows for passage on a 50-vote threshold in the Senate."
[02:19]

Schmell highlights the significance of these modifications:

"What does and doesn't survive the Byrd rule could be key in determining which Republicans end up supporting or opposing the bill."
[02:19]

The alterations ensure that the bill adheres to procedural requirements, potentially smoothing its path through the Senate but also reshaping its original intent.

7. Federal Reserve's Stance on Interest Rates

Amid economic discussions, the episode covers Federal Reserve policies:

Lisa Licera introduces the topic:

"Despite repeated demands from President Trump to lower interest rates, the Fed chair says it's not happening anytime soon."
[02:52]

Jerome Powell, Fed Chair, addresses the issue:

"Fed Chair Jerome Powell is continuing a wait and see attitude on whether to lower interest rates. In remarks to the House Financial Services Committee, Powell says despite uncertainty, the economy is in a solid position."
[02:58]

Jenny Coselda provides further insights:

"The unemployment rate remains low and the labor market is at or near maximum employment. Inflation has come down a great deal but has been running somewhat above our 2% longer-run objective."
[03:11]

Powell emphasizes ongoing economic uncertainties:

"There is still uncertainty about the path of inflation."
[03:22]

Jenny Coselda adds context regarding inflation drivers:

"Respondents to surveys of consumers, businesses, and professional forecasters point to tariffs as the driving factor."
[03:26]

Powell also comments on geopolitical tensions:

"And Powell says it's too early to know what the economic implications of the Iran-Israel situation would be."
[03:32]

The Federal Reserve remains cautious, prioritizing economic stability over immediate rate adjustments despite political pressures to do otherwise.

8. Texas Mandates Warning Labels on Certain Foods

Lisa Licera reports on a new legislative move in Texas:

"A new law in Texas will require warning labels on foods like chips and candy. The law signed by Governor Greg Abbott requires foods made with some dyes and additives to have labels starting in 2027."
[03:41]

She elaborates on the controversy surrounding the law:

"Claims the ingredients are not recommended for human consumption in Australia, Canada, the European Union, or the UK but at least a dozen of the targeted ingredients are authorized in those countries or are already restricted in the U.S."
[03:41]

This legislation reflects ongoing debates about food safety and regulatory standards, with differing international guidelines influencing domestic policies.

Conclusion

Today's Fox News Hourly Update provided comprehensive coverage across national security, international relations, extreme weather events, criminal justice, economic developments, legislative changes, and public health policies. Key takeaways include the White House's firm stance against DIA's assessment on Iran strikes, President Trump's assertive position at the NATO summit, significant weather anomalies affecting major U.S. cities, and pivotal economic indicators shaping market sentiments. Additionally, legislative adjustments to Trump's expansive bill and Texas's new food labeling requirements highlight the dynamic interplay between politics and policy-making.

Notable Quotes:

• Pete Hegseth: "Our bombing campaign obliterated Iran's ability to to create nuclear weapons... anyone who says the bombs were not devastating is just trying to undermine the president and the successful mission."
  [00:20]

• Jerome Powell: "There is still uncertainty about the path of inflation."
  [03:22]

• Ryan Schmell: "What does and doesn't survive the Byrd rule could be key in determining which Republicans end up supporting or opposing the bill."
  [02:19]

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