There's a New US Military Operation Related to Venezuela

Summary

Fox News Hourly Update – January 7, 2026

Episode Theme:
A breaking update on a new U.S. military operation involving Venezuela, plus coverage of major headlines including a wildfire anniversary, high-profile legal developments, remembrance of January 6th, and the passing of Michael Reagan.

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Main Story: U.S. Military Operation Related to Venezuela

Overview:
The U.S. military has launched a new operation at sea, seizing an oil tanker with recent connections to both Venezuela and Russia, signaling an escalation in enforcement of oil sanctions and U.S. foreign policy in the region.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Tanker Seizure Operation

• Location and Details (00:02):
  • U.S. forces boarded and seized an oil tanker in the North Atlantic, northwest of the British Isles.
  • The ship, recently renamed and flying a Russian flag, was reportedly set to receive a Russian military escort.
  • Dave Anthony:
    “There’s a new U.S. military operation related to Venezuela...US Forces boarded an oil tanker to seize the ship… given a Russian flag and was going to get a Russian military escort.” (00:02)
• Background (00:19):
  • The vessel previously transported Venezuelan oil in violation of sanctions.
  • Russia is closely monitoring the situation, expressing official concerns.

2. Broader U.S. Actions Against Venezuelan Shipping

• Recent Military Moves (00:33):
  • The U.S. already seized other oil tankers and destroyed suspected drug trafficking boats near Venezuela.
  • The latest action involved capturing Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.
• Congressional Briefing (00:33):
  • Classified briefings for all Congress members scheduled, starting with the Senate.
  • Criticism from House Democrats over the use of military force.
• Senator Peter Welch Commentary (00:56):
  • Quote:
    "Policy is might makes right. If President Trump wants something and he can use the military to get it, he will." (00:56)

3. Oil Deal with Venezuela and Presidential Response

• Announcement (01:04):
  • President Trump, via Truth Social, claims Venezuela will soon send 30–50 million barrels of oil to the U.S. at market price.
  • Meeting with oil executives planned for Friday.

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Other Major News Segments

Wildfire Anniversary in Los Angeles (01:04)

• One Year since LA Wildfires:
  • 31 lives lost; 12,000 homes destroyed.
  • Rachel Darvish (victim):
    "Is it safe yet? Can we go home? What are we breathing? What’s in the air? What is insurance covering? That I’m not home yet, but those are the things I’m worried about." (01:28)

Crime Update: Reiner Family Murder Case (01:37)

• Nick Reiner Arraignment:
  • Charged with murdering his father, director Rob Reiner, and mother.
  • Recently removed from suicide watch, now in solitary in LA’s Twin Towers Correctional Facility.

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Political News & January 6th Remembrance

Congressional Briefings on Venezuela (02:04)

• Members of the House and Senate scheduled for classified briefings this morning.

January 6 Anniversary Events (02:04)

• Democratic Vigil:

  • Democrats held a candlelight vigil for the fifth anniversary of the Capitol riot.
  • Hakeem Jeffries Statement:
    “Donald Trump may have pardoned your crimes, but only God can pardon your sin.” (02:36)

• Trump’s Remarks (02:42):

  • At a Republican event, Trump argues the media never quoted his call to “walk or march peacefully and patriotically to the Capitol.”
    • Quote:
      "You know that the news never reported the words walk or march peacefully and patriotically to the Capitol. You know they never reported a scandal." (02:53)

• Upcoming GOP Investigative Panel (03:06):

  • A new, Republican-led panel will launch hearings into January 6th; first session next week.
  • The prior Democratic-led committee dissolved after the GOP regained House control in 2023.

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Obituaries

Michael Reagan Passes at 80 (03:42)

• Legacy and Achievements (03:45):
  • Oldest son of President Ronald Reagan.
  • Hosted "The Michael Reagan Show," chaired the Reagan Legacy Foundation.
  • Presidential foundation statement highlights his “conviction, purpose and an abiding devotion to President Reagan’s ideals.”
  • Foundation statement (paraphrased):
    “Michael lived a life shaped by conviction, purpose and an abiding devotion to President Reagan's ideals…” (03:45)
  • Cause of death not announced.

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Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• Sen. Peter Welch:
  "Policy is might makes right. If President Trump wants something and he can use the military to get it, he will." (00:56)
• Rachel Darvish (wildfire survivor):
  "Is it safe yet? Can we go home? What are we breathing? What’s in the air?...I’m not home yet, but those are the things I’m worried about." (01:28)
• Rep. Hakeem Jeffries:
  “Donald Trump may have pardoned your crimes, but only God can pardon your sin.” (02:36)
• Former President Trump:
  “You know that the news never reported the words walk or march peacefully and patriotically to the Capitol. You know they never reported a scandal.” (02:53)

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Conclusion

This Fox News Hourly Update brings major breaking news about a new U.S. military operation targeting a Venezuela-linked, Russian-flagged tanker, with further ramifications for international relations and domestic politics. Additional coverage includes the Los Angeles wildfire anniversary, a high-profile murder arraignment, commemoration and division over the January 6 Capitol riot, and the passing of Michael Reagan. The tone remains urgent and direct, reflecting the network’s focus on up-to-the-minute developments and political implications.

Transcript

[A]

There's a new US Military operation related to Venezuela. I'm Dave Anthony, FOX News. It's happening now at sea in the North Atlantic where US Forces boarded an oil tanker to seize the ship that was recently renamed, given a Russian flag and was going to get a Russian military escort.

[B]

The ship, which was previously used to transport sanctioned Venezuelan oil, has been pursued by the US since last year. It's now northwest of the British Isles. Russia says it is monitoring with concern the situation around the tanker.

[A]

Fox's Jonathan Savage. The U.S. had already seized other oil tankers and blown up suspected drug trafficking boats off the Venezuelan coast leading up to Saturday's operation capturing leader Nicolas Maduro. All members of Congress will get a classified briefing on that mission this morning. The first one is for the Senate an hour from now. Then the House Democrats have been critical of that Venezuela raid. Senator Peter Welch says this is a new American approach and that new foreign.

[C]

Policy is might makes right. If President Trump wants something and he can use the military to get it, he will.

[A]

The president will meet with oil executives Friday after posting on Truth Social that Venezuela is going to send to the US 30 to 50 million barrels of oil that will be sold at market price. Today marks one year since wildfires devastated the Los Angeles area. 31 people were killed, 12,000 homes burned down, including Rachel Darvish's and Pacific Palisades. She's among many who are frustrated, unable to rebuild yet, she tells fox.

[D]

Is it safe yet? Can we go home? What are we breathing? What's in the air? What is insurance covering? That I'm not home yet, but those are the things I'm worried about.

[A]

Later this morning in Los Angeles, Nick Reiner will be arraigned on charges he murdered his famous father, actor and movie director Rob Reiner, and his mother in their home last month.

[D]

Earlier this week, Reiner was reportedly removed from suicide watch but is still in solitary confinement at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility in LA where he's being held.

[A]

That's Tanya J. Powers. America's listening to FOX News News.

[D]

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

[A]

Jesus, a listening experience that will provide hope, comfort and understanding of the greatest story ever told. Listen and follow [e-mail] or wherever you listen to podcasts. The congressional briefings this morning on the Venezuelan operation to capture leader Nicolas Maduro. Come the day after very different remembrances of the January 6 Capitol riot five years later with Democrats holding candles at a vigil house Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries had a message for the rioters who were convicted and then pardoned last year when the president returned to office.

[E]

Donald Trump may have pardoned your crimes, but only God can pardon your sin.

[A]

Now, some of those who stormed the Capitol that day retraced their steps yesterday. And President Trump at a gathering of House Republicans focused on his speech back on January 6, 2021. Before the riot.

[C]

You know that the news never reported the words walk or march peacefully and patriotically to the Capitol. You know they never reported a scandal.

[A]

And there's going to be another investigation.

[E]

Five years after the events of January 6th, the now Republican led panel tasked with investigating the attack at the Capitol will hold its first hearing next week. Georgia Republican Barry Loudermilk chairs the select subcommittee and tells Politico the list of witnesses is still being ironed out. A January 6th select committee led by Democrats was dissolved after Republicans took an control of the House in 2023 as the GOP accused the committee of political bias against President Trump. Democrats have accused Republicans of trying to whitewash history on Capitol Hill. Ryan Schmelz, FOX News.

[A]

President Reagan's oldest son Michael, has died at the age of 80.

[F]

The Presidential foundation says Michael lived a life shaped by conviction, purpose and an abiding devotion to President Reagan's ideals and that Michael used his voice to champion freedom, personal responsibility and and the principles that defined his father's presidency. Reagan was known for his radio talk program, the Michael Reagan show, and also chaired the Reagan Legacy Foundation. No word on a cause of death.

[A]

That's Tom Ratti. I'm Dave Anthony. This is FOX News.