The Fox News Rundown

President-elect Trump returned to Capitol Hill this week, paying his respects at former President Jimmy Carter's funeral on Thursday and meeting with Senate Republicans to ensure they're on the same page about how best to pass the President-elect's agenda. Meanwhile, Americans have watched in shock as wildfires rage across Southern California — causing the destruction of more than 10,000 structures and forcing over 180,000 residents to leave their homes. FOX News Senior Congressional Correspondent Chad Pergram breaks down the week, from what's happening on Capitol Hill to what aid California may receive following these horrific events.  President Biden is wrapping up his final weeks in office with some big moves, including banning drilling on millions of acres along U.S. coasts, releasing prisoners from Guantanamo Bay, and blocking a Japanese company from merging with US Steel. Former State Department Spokeswoman for the Obama Administration Marie Harf discusses how President Biden's final actions in office will impact how people remember his legacy. Later, former Republican House Intelligence Chairman Jason Chaffetz explains how these final days for President Biden could open up more problems for President-elect Trump. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As fires continue to be fought and over one hundred fifty thousand people are under evacuation orders in Los Angeles County, residents are asking what could have been done differently to prepare for such a disaster. Both the Los Angeles Mayor, Karen Bass, and California Governor Gavin Newsom are facing tough criticism for not being prepared for fires that some have said was only a matter of time. Questions are being asked about why fire fighters could not get water from hydrants and why were National Weather Service warnings from a week ago not taken more seriously. FOX’s John Saucier speaks with William La Jeunesse, FOX News Senior National Correspondent based-in Los Angeles, who says while this is an unprecedented wildfire, many Californians want answers about the response. Click Here To Follow 'The FOX News Rundown: Evening Edition' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Set to become one of the most destructive fires in the state’s history, the California wildfires will inflict a serious financial toll on homeowners and their insurance costs. Usually when your house burns down, you look to your home insurance provider for the fix; however, many residents in California who live in high-risk areas have struggled to find affordable coverage, or they may even have been recently dropped by their insurance providers, who argue the wildfires cost damage too hefty to cover. FOX Business correspondent Gerri Willis speaks with CRMBC CEO and insurance industry expert Kaya Stanley about how the wildfires threaten to balloon home insurance issues into a crisis in the Golden State. Photo Credit: AP Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fires continue to rage in California as politicians are pointing fingers at who is responsible for the mismanagement of resources that could have helped prevent the blazes across Los Angeles County. Meanwhile, in the nation's capital, the Supreme Court is weighing the future of the ownership of TikTok, deciding on a bill that President Biden passed that said the parent company, Chinese-operated ByteDance, must divest from the social media company. FOX News Sunday anchor and host of the Livin' The Bream podcast, Shannon Bream, joins the Rundown to discuss the political fallout of the California wildfires, how the legal battle over TikTok could play out, and previews who she will have on FOX News Sunday. Cryptocurrency continues to be all the rage, with Bitcoin more than doubling in the past year. Even with all the buzz surrounding crypto and President-elect Donald Trump pledging to make the US the "crypto-capitol of the planet," many don't understand exactly what it is. Chris Giancarlo, Former Chairman of the Commodities Future Trading Committee and author of Cryptodad: The Fight For The Future Of Money joins special guest host Dana Perino to explain in simple terms: what is Bitcoin, and how does it work? Don't miss the good news with Tonya J. Powers. Plus, commentary from former California State Assemblyman and Chief National Initiatives Officer at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, Chuck DeVore. Photo Credit: AP Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

At least five people are dead and more than two thousand homes, businesses and other buildings have been damaged or destroyed in wildfires burning across Los Angeles County. It is the most destructive wildfires to hit the state in years and firefighting resources remain strained. Many are blaming the firefight’s challenges on budget cuts and water shortages because of rules limiting water flow to protect endangered species. FOX’s Eben Brown speaks with Matt Klink, Republican strategist and longtime Los Angeles resident, who says while it is a tragedy, the state could be doing more to help mitigate these disasters with more preventative measures. Click Here To Follow 'The FOX News Rundown: Evening Edition' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Southern California was set ablaze by three separate wildfires amplified by hurricane-force winds. Dozens of homes and businesses have been completely torched after the fires swept through Los Angeles uncontrollably for hours. FOX Weather Meteorologist Craig Hererra joins the Rundown to describe what causes Santa Ana winds and why the fires spread as fast as they did. President-elect Trump has manifest destiny on his mind as he continues to talk about acquiring Canada and Greenland as a part of the United States. In recent weeks he has repeated the idea of purchasing and annexing both territories. The incoming president also has a big decision to make over TikTok, which faces a country-wide ban pending a Supreme Court decision on ownership of the company. Chairman of O’Leary Ventures and star of ABC’s Shark Tank, Kevin O'Leary joins the podcast to discuss the prospects of President-elect Trump acquiring Canada and weighs in on the TikTok legal battle. Plus, commentary from the host of “Tomi Lahren is Fearless on Outkick,” Tomi Lahren. Photo Credit: AP Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tens of thousands of Californians are being forced from their homes because of various wildfires across Los Angeles County being quickly spread by strong winds. More than three million are without power with the fires threatening almost thirty thousand structures. Many officials say the winds will continue and feel the worst could still be to come. FOX’s Eben Brown speaks with Krystin Goodwin, FOX News Headlines & FOX News Audio Los Angeles reporter, who's own home is threatened, shares what she has seen and experienced living so close to many of the wildfires. Click Here To Follow 'The FOX News Rundown: Evening Edition' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On Tuesday, the first bill of the 119th Congress was passed. All Congressional Republicans, along with 48 Democrats, voted in favor of the Laken Riley Act, which would require federal authorities to detain illegal immigrants convicted of theft-related crimes. The Senate is expected to vote on the bill later this week. Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) stated that securing the border is the nation's "number one priority." As a member of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and the Subcommittee on Government Operations and Border Management, Johnson discusses the GOP's plans to secure the border, combat terrorism, and reduce government spending. Big changes are coming to content moderation on Facebook and Instagram after Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg says he wants to restore free speech on his platforms and work with President Trump. In a statement on Tuesday the Meta CEO says they are getting rid of fact-checkers and replacing them with a community notes system similar to what X (formerly Twitter) has. Zuckerberg explained he hopes to combat the censorship that formed on his platform with sweeping change. Senior research associate at the Heritage Foundation’s Tech Policy Center, Daniel Cochrane shares why this is a step in the right direction but explains how social media algorithms still pose censorship issues. Plus, commentary from columnist David Marcus. Photo Credit: AP Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A United Nations watchdog group says the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, or UNRWA, should be shutdown because it promotes and commits acts against humanity. The Geneva based 'UN Watch' accuses UNRWA of putting high ranking Hamas leaders in positions of management and promoting the destruction of Israel. The latest call to end UNRWA comes when the Israeli Health Ministry has issued a report on their findings on the treatment of hostages taken by Hamas following the October 7th terror attack. FOX’s Eben Brown speaks with Hillel Neuer, the Executive Director of UN Watch, has testified before the United Nations and has been traveling the world to promote replacing UNRWA with another relief effort. Click Here To Follow 'The FOX News Rundown: Evening Edition' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President-elect Trump is urging Republicans in Congress to send him one “powerful” budget bill that would address most of his campaign promises, from bolstering border security to revitalizing energy policy and even renewing his 2017 tax cuts. To pass this through a reconciliation bill like Trump wants, the GOP would not even need any Democratic votes; however, what they will need is the support of at least 218 of the total 219 House Republicans. Fox News Radio Political Analyst Josh Kraushaar explains how, with a thin majority, political disagreements could make it challenging for Trump's one big bill. On Monday, President Joe Biden signed an executive order banning offshore drilling in 625 million acres of ocean, which includes the entire east coast of the United States and parts of the Gulf of Mexico. The President stated that this action aims to protect coastal communities and marine ecosystems. In contrast, President-elect Donald Trump and his administration plan to increase oil and gas production in the U.S. Senior Energy Market Analyst at the Price Futures Group and FOX News Contributor Phil Flynn joins the discussion to break down the implications of the executive order. Plus, commentary from FOX News contributor Joe Concha. Photo Credit: AP Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced he will be resigning as his party's leader and prime minister after nearly a decade in office. This announcement comes as pressure from within his own Liberal Party increasingly grew over his handling of the economy and the challenges presented by President-elect Donald Trump. FOX’s John Saucier speaks with Nile Gardiner, senior fellow and Director of the Margaret Thatcher Center for Freedom at The Heritage Foundation, about this decision by Trudeau, how it came about and who could possibly replace him. Click Here To Follow 'The FOX News Rundown: Evening Edition' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On Monday, President Biden announced executive action to ban new offshore oil and gas drilling on more than 625 million acres of American coastline, which is directly at odds with the incoming Trump administration’s agenda to increase domestic energy production. Meanwhile, new reporting suggests that the planned Trump tariffs may be narrowing in scope to focus on certain critical sectors rather than applying to all imports across the board. FOX Business correspondent Gerri Willis speaks with Payne Capital Management President Ryan Payne about the impact these headlines are having on the market, 2025’s strong start for Wall Street, and a speedbump in the labor market. Photo Credit: AP Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the wake of the terror attack in New Orleans and suspected terror attack at the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas, there are questions about security at inauguration events in the nation's Capital. Republican lawmakers on Capitol Hill are preparing for the swearing in of President-elect Trump and to enact his bold new agenda. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) joins the Rundown to discuss what is known about both attacks in New Orleans and Las Vegas, concerns about Inauguration Day events in Washington D.C., and the plans that President-elect Trump has to end overseas conflicts in Europe, the Middle East, and to deliver for the American people One of President-elect Trump's promises on the campaign trail was to "Make America healthy again", pointing out issues in the pharmaceutical industry and food production in the nation. To achieve the goal of making America healthy again, the President-elect has nominated Robert F. Kennedy Jr., his one-time opponent in the 2024 presidential election. FOX News Contributor and board-certified radiologist Dr. Nicole Saphier joins the Rundown to discuss the ways that the Trump administration can transform health in the country, controversy surrounding Robert F. Kennedy's stances on vaccines, and why she believes the government needs to create a freer market when it comes to health care.  Plus, commentary from President & CEO of the International Franchise Association Matthew Haller.  (Image Via AP) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Does this past week’s terror attack in New Orleans indicate a resurgence of Islamic extremism, and are similar attacks likely? On Thursday, the FBI confirmed their belief that Shamsud-Din Jabbar acted alone in the attack but was inspired by ISIS. Earlier this week, we spoke with national security official Michael Allen about the threat of Islamic terror and the brutal attack on Bourbon Street that killed at least 14 people and injured more than 30. Allen discussed how recent tensions in the Middle East could inspire attacks in the U.S., how terror can spread through radicalization domestically, and the tools we must use to detect extremist threats. The former National Security Council Senior Director and Managing Director of Beacon Global Strategies also weighed in on how the porous southern border has made us more vulnerable, as well as the questions surrounding the Las Vegas Cybertruck explosion outside a Trump hotel. While we often have to shorten interviews during the week, we thought you might appreciate hearing the full conversation. Today on Fox News Rundown Extra, we present our complete interview with national security expert Michael Allen, providing more insights into his assessment following this week’s horrifying events. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In his final days in office, President Joe Biden blocked a $15 billion acquisition of U.S. Steel by Japan's Nippon Steel. Last March, the President expressed his disapproval of a foreign company purchasing an American business, emphasizing the importance of keeping it a U.S. company. The White House remains firm in its decision, stating that the choice is primarily focused on defense and supply chain considerations. Bob Tita, a reporter covering the manufacturing and metals industries for The Wall Street Journal, discusses President Biden's decision and its potential impact on the nation. Former President Jimmy Carter died at the age of 100 and will lie in state at the U.S. Capitol this week. Senior Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, Ray Takeyh explains the impact of President Carter's decisions for the nation during his time as the 39th President, specifically regarding the Middle East. Ray looks at the lasting legacy of the Camp David Accords, America's relationship with Iran, and the normalization of relations with China. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As we enter the New Year, many Americans are hopeful for relief from inflation. However, a recent FOX News poll reveals that most voters hold negative views about the economy and their personal financial situations. Only about four in ten believe the economy will improve by 2025, though this is an improvement compared to last year. Earlier this week, FOX News Rundown host Lisa Brady spoke with Bankrate senior economic analyst Mark Hamrick about the economic anxiety Americans continue to experience and why there are reasons to be optimistic about the future. Hamrick also offered simple financial steps families can take to improve their personal finances. While we often have to shorten interviews during the week, we thought you might appreciate hearing the full conversation. Today on Fox News Rundown Extra, we present our complete interview with economist Mark Hamrick, providing more insights into his 2025 economic forecast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The 119th Congress began on Friday, with their first order of business being to elect a House Speaker. Though there were concerns House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) may not have the support to secure his reelection, he was able to squeak out a victory after Rep. Keith Self (R-TX) and Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC) switched their votes -- leaving Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) as the only Republican who refused to support the House Speaker. FOX News Senior Congressional Correspondent Chad Pergram explains how the vote played out and what Congress' plans are now that they can move forward.  Security is a top priority in the nation's capital as preparation is underway for former President Jimmy Carter's state funeral and the inauguration of President-elect Trump. But in the wake of two deadly New Year's attacks in New Orleans and Las Vegas, law enforcement and federal agents are now on high alert about potential threats ahead of the Trump transition. Former Senior Advisor to the Secretary of Homeland Security Charles Marino explains why security has not matched the threat level of recent attacks in the United States and discusses the necessary protocol that must be present in the wake of the deadly incidents. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rep. Mike Johnson has been re-elected as Speaker of the House in a first round vote. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), was the only Republican to vote against Johnson in the end, after Reps. Keith Self, R-Texas and Ralph Norman, R-S.C., first voted for someone else but then switched their vote to support Rep. Johnson. The win for Johnson comes amid threats by Republicans to deny him over his handling of government funding and other issues. FOX’s John Saucier speaks with Bill McGurn, FOX News contributor & Main Street Columnist for the Wall Street Journal, about the various political angles that got Speaker Johnson re-elected. Click Here To Follow 'The FOX News Rundown: Evening Edition' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After a year of Japan’s grand plan to enter our nation’s steel market by acquiring American company U.S. Steel, President Biden has made the decision to block the proposed $14 billion deal with Japanese company Nippon Steel, citing national security risks. Nippon representatives say they plan to challenge the decision, but with President-elect Trump already saying he would block the sale as well, they are unlikely to find friendlier negotiations come Inauguration Day. Co-anchor of The Big Money Show, Taylor Riggs, speaks with the host of Making Money on Fox Business, Charles Payne, about why blocking this sale helps protect Americans in the future, the challenges that face the city of New Orleans tourist economy, and he previews his TV town hall coming January 16th on Fox Business. Photo Credit: AP Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On Wednesday, two violent events unfolded that are now being investigated by the FBI as acts of terrorism. First, a deadly truck attack in New Orleans, and then later, a Tesla Cybertruck explosion right outside of Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas. Authorities identified the suspect in the Louisiana truck attack as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a U.S. citizen from Texas and Army veteran who was inspired to carry out this mass killing by the Islamic State. Former National Security Council Senior Director and managing director of Beacon Global Strategies, Michael Allen joins the Rundown to explain how terror can spread through radicalization in the U.S. and the tools we must use to detect extremist threats. The 119th Congress begins today, with the GOP controlling both the House and the Senate. However, before lawmakers can get down to business, they must elect a new speaker. However, some Republicans are wary of re-electing Congressman Mike Johnson (R-LA). A delayed vote could impede the certification of the 2024 election. Republican strategist and co-founder of South and Hill Strategies Colin Reed joins to break down what happens if the vote goes longer than expected. Plus, commentary from FOX News contributor Joe Concha. Photo Credit: AP / Alcides Antunes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices