Fox News Hourly Update: The White House Says a Security Guarantee for Ukraine will not Include Troops on the Ground

Date: August 19, 2025
Host: Lisa Lucera (FOX News Podcasts)
Main Theme:
This episode covers several major news items, leading with the White House’s announcement that any U.S. security guarantee to Ukraine will not include deploying U.S. troops on the ground. Additional stories include updates on U.S.-Ukraine-Russia diplomatic efforts, domestic immigration policy, changes in FBI leadership, New Zealand’s first espionage trial, and a survey revealing young Americans’ struggles with inflation and social spending.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S. Security Guarantees for Ukraine

• No U.S. Troops on the Ground

  • After President Trump’s meeting with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and European leaders, the White House clarified that U.S. security guarantees for Ukraine would not mean sending American soldiers into Ukraine.
  • Caroline Levitt, White House Press Secretary:
    • "U.S. troops will not deploy to Ukraine as part of any peacekeeping or security force." [00:17]
    • "We can certainly help in the coordination and perhaps provide other means of security guarantees to our European allies." [00:25]
    • On possible military support:
      "Could include the use of U.S. air power. It is an option and a possibility. I won’t certainly rule out anything as far as military options that the president has at his disposal... But I can tell you he’s definitively ruled out boots on the ground." [00:32–00:47]

• Diplomatic Efforts

  • Ongoing negotiations for a direct meeting between President Zelenskyy and President Putin, with the possibility of Hungary hosting the talks.
    • "Talks continue to set up a meeting directly between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian leader Vladimir Putin." [00:47]
    • President Trump spoke with Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban about potentially hosting such talks in Budapest. [00:55]

2. Domestic Immigration Policy Updates

• Nebraska Immigration Detention Center

  • Nebraska’s Governor Jim Pillin announced plans to build a new immigration detention center in the southwestern part of the state.

• Alligator Alcatraz Lawsuit

  • A federal judge dismissed part of a lawsuit concerning detained migrants’ access to immigration courts since proceedings have moved closer to the facility.
  • Unnamed Federal Judge:
    • "The complaint over detained migrants not having access to immigration courts is now moot... The remainder of the ACLU's complaint that detained persons have limited access to lawyers is allowed to proceed, but the case is now ordered out of the Southern District of Florida to the Middle District." [01:24–01:51]

3. DOJ and FBI Leadership News

• New Deputy FBI Directors
  • Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey will become co-Deputy Director of the FBI, joining Dan Bongino.
    • Bailey is "a tough on crime supporter of President Trump" and opposed Biden’s student loan forgiveness program.
    • "Bailey becomes the latest Missouri attorney general to end up in Washington. Current Senators Josh Hawley and Eric Schmitt had the job before Bailey in Washington." [02:18–02:56]

4. International News: Espionage in New Zealand

• First Espionage Case
  • A New Zealand soldier pleaded guilty to attempting to spy for a foreign country in the country’s first ever espionage prosecution.
    • Details on the country and soldier remain undisclosed, but the charges stem from 2019 attempts to communicate military information to a presumed foreign agent.
    • "Each of the three charges against him carries a maximum prison term of either seven or ten years in prison." [02:56–03:27]

5. Financial Impact on Young Americans

• Ally Financial Survey
  • Nearly half of Gen Z and Millennials say "friendship is taking too big of a bite out of their budgets," with 44% skipping major social events to save money.
    • 42% report overspending a few times each year; 18% overspend every other month.
    • Only 18% actively budget for social spending.
    • 59% say their financial goals (student loans, homebuying) are impacted by social expenditures.
    • 23% found ways to spend time with friends without spending money. [03:27–04:06]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Caroline Levitt, on U.S. military options:
  "I won’t certainly rule out anything as far as military options that the president has at his disposal... But I can tell you he’s definitively ruled out boots on the ground." [00:32–00:47]

• Ally Financial Survey, on the strain of friendship costs:
  "A lot of Gen Z and millennials are feeling that friendship is taking too big of a bite out of their budgets, with 44% saying they've skipped major social events because of cost." [03:27]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:02 – White House statement on U.S. troops and Ukraine
• 00:17 – Direct quote from press secretary Caroline Levitt
• 00:47 – Ongoing diplomatic efforts between Ukraine and Russia
• 01:24 – Federal judge on Florida migrant detention lawsuit
• 02:18 – DOJ names new deputy FBI directors
• 02:56 – New Zealand soldier espionage case
• 03:27 – Survey on finances and social life for young Americans

Summary:
This episode delivers concise coverage of global diplomatic moves, shifting U.S. military policy, domestic legal developments, international espionage, and generational economic pressures—all with Fox News' hallmark directness and focus on actionable updates.