U.S. Military Strikes ISIS Targets in Nigeria Over Christian Killings

Summary

---

Fox News Hourly Update

Episode: U.S. Military Strikes ISIS Targets in Nigeria Over Christian Killings

Date: December 26, 2025
Host: Roger Stern (FOX News Podcasts)

---

Episode Overview

This episode delivers a concise update on major U.S. and international news. The main theme centers on a recent U.S. military strike against ISIS targets in Nigeria, ordered in response to violence against Christians. Additional segments cover severe winter weather in the U.S., changes in military posture regarding Venezuela, developments in political redistricting battles in Missouri, and a Supreme Court decision about the National Guard in Illinois.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S. Military Strike on ISIS in Nigeria

• Main Story Announcement
  • The U.S. Africa Command carried out a strike against ISIS in Nigeria, following direct orders from the President.
  • The action was prompted by attacks on Christians.
  • Announcement made late in the evening via the President’s Truth Social account.
  • Ongoing coverage promised as more information emerges.
  • [00:02]
    Roger Stern:

    "US Africa Command has conducted a strike against ISIS in Nigeria. This comes at the direction of the president of the US who made the announcement tonight on Truth Social..."

2. Extreme Winter Weather Across the U.S.

• Northeast Braces for Storms
  • Major winter storms expected to impact over 15 million people in the Northeast with snow and ice.
  • The New York City area could see between 5-8 inches of snow from Friday into Saturday.
  • [00:27]
    Mike Emanuel:

    "Number of winter storm watches are multiplying...a snow and ice storm...expected to blast through the Northeast, impacting at least 15 million people."

  • [00:53]
    Roger Stern:

    "The New York City area expected to see between 5 to 8 inches of snow throughout tomorrow evening into Saturday."

• SoCal Flooding and Mudslides
  • Heavy rain already causing significant flooding and mudslides in Los Angeles County and adjacent regions.
  • Further storm systems expected to worsen conditions.

3. U.S. Military Focus Shifts on Venezuela

• New Orders Issued
  • U.S. military directed to focus on “quarantine of Venezuelan oil” for at least two months.
  • The Trump administration prefers economic pressure to direct military intervention but keeps military options open.
  • Ongoing maritime military strikes continue in the Caribbean targeting alleged cartel boats.
  • Venezuelan government accuses the U.S. of being the real threat.
  • [01:06]
    Ryan Schmelz:

    "Military forces are being told to focus on a quarantine of Venezuelan oil for the next two months minimum..." "President Trump continued his pressure campaign this week on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro..." "Venezuelan officials have said the US Government is the threat, not Venezuela."

4. Redistricting Battles in Missouri and Other States

• Gerrymandering Controversy
  • Republicans aim to secure nine new GOP seats (five in Texas, one in North Carolina, two in Ohio, and one in Missouri).
  • The ACLU challenges an effort in Missouri, especially around carving up Kansas City; 300,000 signatures could push the redistricting to a voter referendum.
  • The process may be delayed, possibly affecting the candidate filing window.
  • [03:10]
    Jessica Rosenthal:

    "Republicans are banking on nine new GOP leaning seats ahead of midterms... ACLU in Missouri is now challenging the GOP effort to carve up Kansas City... The Republican attorney general says the redrawn districts will remain in effect until the Republican secretary of state validates the signatures."

5. Supreme Court Rejects National Guard Deployment to Illinois

• Legal and Constitutional Dispute
  • President Trump’s attempt to deploy the National Guard to Illinois is blocked by the U.S. Supreme Court, affirming a federal judge’s prior decision.
  • The court cited improper legal groundwork: federal forces had not been used before calling in the National Guard.
  • Chicago’s mayor welcomed the decision, highlighting its national implications.
  • [04:08]
    Unattributed:

    "Trump has relied on a law that lets a president deploy state National Guard troops to... suppress a rebellion, repel an invasion, or if he is unable with the regular forces to execute the laws..." "The court argued because Trump had not first legally deployed regular military…he had no basis to deploy the Guard."

  • [04:44]
    Roger Stern:

    "Chicago's mayor, praising the decision from the Supreme Court, saying the decision just doesn't just protect Chicago, but other cities around the country."

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [00:02] Roger Stern:

  "US Africa Command has conducted a strike against ISIS in Nigeria. This comes at the direction of the president of the US..."

• [01:06] Ryan Schmelz on Venezuela:

  "The Trump administration is more interested in using economic pressure as opposed to military force, though military options rather remain on the table."

• [03:10] Jessica Rosenthal on Redistricting:

  "ACLU in Missouri is now challenging the GOP effort to carve up Kansas City in 300,000 signatures, protesting the change is sufficient to force the issue onto a ballot before voters."

• [04:08] Analysis of National Guard Deployment:

  "The court argued because Trump had not first legally deployed regular military to support law enforcement, he had no basis to deploy the Guard."

---

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:02] – US military strike on ISIS in Nigeria (Main story)
• [00:27] – Latest winter weather warnings for the Northeast
• [01:06] – US military’s new focus on Venezuela
• [03:10] – Redistricting battles in Missouri; implications for congressional seats
• [04:08] – Supreme Court’s ruling on National Guard deployment to Illinois

---

Tone:
Direct, urgent, and factual, with characteristic FOX News brevity and emphasis on breaking stories.

---

This summary encompasses the episode’s main news stories and political updates, capturing key moments, quotes, and policy implications for listeners seeking a rapid yet comprehensive update on current U.S. and global affairs.

Transcript

[A]

This is a FOX News alert. I'm Roger Stern. As we're learning tonight that the US Africa Command has conducted a strike against ISIS in Nigeria. This comes at the direction of the president of the US who made the announcement tonight on Truth Social will have more details on the US ISIS strike as they become available. The Northeast bracing for significant winter storms. Here's fox's Mike Emanuel.

[B]

The number of winter storm watches are multiplying throughout the northeastern U.S. the National Weather Service is warning of a snow and ice storm that is expected to blast through the Northeast, impacting at least 15 million people. Meanwhile, Southern California is getting soaked. Heavy rain has already caused flooding and mudslides in Los Angeles county and beyond. And now another powerful storm system could bring more of the same to areas that are already inundated.

[A]

The New York City area expected to see between 5 to 8 inches of snow throughout tomorrow evening into Saturday. The White House issuing new marching orders to the US Military when it comes to Venezuela. Here's fox's Ryan Schmelz.

[C]

Military forces are being told to focus on a quarantine of Venezuelan oil for the next two months minimum. That according to Reuters, citing a US Official, says the Trump administration is more interested in using economic pressure as opposed to military force, though military options rather remain on the table. President Trump continued his pressure campaign this week on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro saying it would be smart for him to leave office while continuing military strikes on alleged cartel boats in the Caribbean. Venezuelan officials have said the US Government is the threat, not Venezuela. In Washington, Ryan Schmelz, FOX News.

[A]

And repeating our top story, the US has done a military strike against isis. America is listening to FOX News. Nearly home.

[D]

Isn't home where we all want to be? Reba here for realtor.com, the Pro's number one most trusted app. Finding a home is like dating. You're not just looking for a place to live. You're searching for the one. That's where realtor.com comes in. Like any good matchmaker, they know exactly where to look. With over 500,000 new real listings straight from the pros every month, you could find your perfect match today, ranch style with a pool, barndominium with an in Law Suite. Realtor.com's got em modern craftsman with a big yard and a treehouse out back. Realtor.com will have you saying, yep, that's the one. No more swapping. It's time to start finding. Download TheRealTor.com app today cause you're nearly home. Make it real with realtor.com Pro's number.

[C]

One most trusted app based on August 2024 proprietary survey. Over 500,000 new listings every month based on average new for sale and rental listings February 2024 through January 2025.

[A]

In the mid decade where districting wars, Democrats in Missouri are fighting back fox Jessica Rosenthal with more so far in.

[E]

Redistricting, Republicans are banking on nine new GOP leaning seats ahead of midterms next year, five in Texas, one in North Carolina, two in Ohio and one in Missouri. But the ACLU in Missouri is now challenging the GOP effort to carve up Kansas City in 300,000 signatures, protesting the change is sufficient to force the issue onto a ballot before voters. But the Missouri Republican attorney general says the redrawn districts will remain in effect until the Republican secretary of state validates the signatures. And that can take time even beyond the candidate filing period, which goes from February 24th through the end of March. Jessica Rosenthal, Fox News.

[A]

The U.S. supreme Court rejecting President Trump's bid to send the National Guard to Illinois, leaving in place a previous ruling by a federal judge in Chicago that barred the White House from deploying troops to the state comes after nearly 300 National Guard troops from Texas were deployed to Chicago in early October to help protect federal property after violent clashes between ICE officers and protesters.

[F]

The president called Chicago a mess and said he would solve the crime problem fast, arguing the deployment was necessary in order to crack down on crime and protect residents and federal ICE officers. Well, Trump has relied on a law that lets a president deploy state National Guard troops to, quote, suppress a rebellion, repel an invasion, or if he is unable with the regular forces to execute the laws of the United States. Well, the court argued because Trump had not first legally deployed regular military to support law enforcement, he had no basis to deploy the Guard.

[A]

Fox's Brooke Taylor, Chicago's mayor, praising the decision from the Supreme Court, saying the decision just doesn't just protect Chicago, but other cities around the country. I'm Roger Stern and this is FOX News.

[G]

Hey, Ryan Reynolds here wishing you a very happy half off holiday because right now Mint Mobile is offering you the gift of 50% off unlimited. To be clear, that's half the price, not half the service. Mint is still premium unlimited wireless for a great price. So that means half day. Give it a [e-mail].

[E]

Switch upfront payment of $45 for three month plan equivalent to $15 per month required new customer offer for first three months only. Speed slow after 35 gigabytes of network busy taxes and fees extra. See mintmobile.

[B]

Com.