Good morning, and welcome to RedState's "Morning Minute" — a brief glimpse at which stories are trending at the moment and a look ahead at what the day may bring. Consider this your one-stop shop for news to kickstart your day. 

TOP O' THE MORNIN'

Biden's Insane Comments About Lloyd Austin, Black Neighborhoods in Trainwreck BET Interview

Biden said it was all about "treating people with dignity." Then he appeared to either forget his Secretary of Defense's name, calling him "the black man" or perhaps confusing him with his nominee for the Supreme Court, now sitting Justice "Ketanji Brown," whose name he said right after.

Things Do Not Go Well When Secret Service Head Kim Cheatle Shows Up at the RNC

They are demanding her resignation and have issued a subpoena for her appearance at a congressional hearing. We'll have to wait to see if she shows up.

Operation Dump Biden Goes Into High Gear—What Pelosi Reportedly Told Him

The Democrats deserve all the chaos and confusion because they put us all in this situation by backing this incoherent man. They created this mess. It's all on them.

WHAT'S ON TAP?

Today on Capitol Hill...

We're still in Republican National Convention week, so the Hill will remain largely quiet. That doesn't mean all its denizens are, though. Reportedly, the reprieve for President Joe Biden from calls for him to step aside following the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump is over, and now, it's leadership leaning on the Big Guy to shuffle off into the sunset. 

White House What's Up

It seems that even COVID got the memo that it's time for Biden to rest up and reflect on the future of his campaign — and presidency — as the pesky virus reared its head again and reportedly is side-lining the president, who's now convalescing in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.

Full Court Press...

The "trial" of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gerskovich is (back) underway in Russia, with Gerskovich appearing in court on Thursday. 

Special Counsel Jack Smith has formally filed a Notice of Appeal following Judge Aileen Cannon's dismissal of the classified documents case against Trump. 

MORNING MUSING

I'm not typically emotional or overly sentimental about Donald Trump. But I've observed, on more than one occasion, that for all the horrible things he's accused of doing/being, his adult children all present as smart and accomplished — and seemingly have a deep affection for the reputed ogre. People will take from that what they wish. However, it's evident that affection holds true for his grandchildren, as well, as we saw with Kai Trump's surprise speech Wednesday night and the image below. That's a side we, the public, don't often get to see of the brash, larger-than-life figure. 

The most heartwarming moment of the night: Trump's grandson hugging him at the RNC convention. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/uElKl8JEoW

— Freedom 🇺🇸🦅 (@PU28453638) July 18, 2024

LIGHTER FARE 

I LOL'd.

Trump picked a guy experienced in bickering with Indian women... 4D chess https://t.co/qB0l6xR4nR

— Horace S. Villa (@horacesvilla) July 17, 2024