Thursday Morning Minute

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'

Christopher Wray Is Reportedly Preparing a Nasty Surprise for Donald Trump and Kash Patel

News of Wray's intention to slow Patel's leadership takeover of the FBI didn't seem to faze Patel, who remarked, “I look forward to a smooth transition. I will be ready to serve the American people on day one."

Whoa – Biden Commutes Nearly 1,500 Sentences, Pardons 39 in Largest Single-Day Act of Clemency

News of the sweeping act of clemency comes as pardons have been a hot topic of controversy in the waning days of President Biden's term.

WATCH: NJ Rep Is All of Us With Epic Response to DHS Meeting on Mysterious Drones

So either it's the government trying to gaslight us on the issue, or they really don't know, and they truly are dangerously ignorant.

WHAT'S ON TAP?

Today on Capitol Hill...

It won't be quite as busy on the Hill on Thursday as only four meetings/hearings are set:

House Veterans' Affairs, Technology Modernization Subcommittee — Modernizing VA: Lessons Learned in the 118th Congress
Senate Judiciary — Business meeting to consider S.1306, to reauthorize the COPS ON THE BEAT grant program, S.2082, to make technical corrections relating to the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act, and the nominations of Benjamin J. Cheeks, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of California, and Serena Raquel Murillo, to be United States District Judge for the Central District of California
Senate Aging (Special) — Hearings to examine empowering people with disabilities to live, work, learn, and thrive
Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation — Business meeting to consider the nominations of David Michael Capozzi, of Maryland, Ronald L. Batory, of New Mexico, Elaine Marie Clegg, of Idaho, and Lanhee J. Chen, of California, each to be a Director of the Amtrak Board of Directors, Lisa T. Ballance, of Oregon, to be a Member of the Marine Mammal Commission, Felix R. Sanchez, of the District of Columbia, and Adam Jeffrey White, of Virginia, both to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, L. E. Sola, of Florida, to be a Federal Maritime Commissioner, and routine lists in the Coast Guard; to be immediately followed by a Subcommittee on Aviation Safety, Operations, and Innovation hearing to examine U.S. Air Traffic Control systems, personnel, and safety

With the NDAA passage in the House on Wednesday, it's now before the Senate, where Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) is expected to secure an agreement or file cloture on it and propel it toward passage in the Senate early next week, though it's unclear that the Democrat-led Senate will sign on to the "culture-war amendments" included in the House version.

Next up: A continuing resolution to fund the government (likely through March).

White House What's Up

It's a quiet day for President Joe Biden. (Perhaps he's worn out after doling out all those commutations and pardons?) He'll receive his Daily Brief in the morning...and that's about it, though there will be a press briefing by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre in the afternoon.

Full Court Press...

I almost feel bad mentioning it, but Thursday marks another decision day for the New York appellate court — will this be the day that the court issues its ruling in the civil fraud case against President-elect Donald Trump? Will Juan Merchan issue his ruling on the post-trial motions in the Manhattan business records case? 'Twould be a good day for it as Trump is in New York Thursday to ring the opening bell at the Stock Exchange.

While we still have virtually no answers regarding what in the heck is going on with the drones over the skies of New Jersey, the FBI announced Wednesday the arrest of a Chinese national for flying a drone over Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

The legal wrangling continues over TikTok's attempt to avoid a ban in the U.S. Expect that matter to wind up before the U.S. Supreme Court before long.

No ruling yet from Judge Aileen Cannon on would-be Trump assassin Ryan Routh's bid to continue his criminal case to December 2025, though it won't surprise me if she issues her ruling on the matter today or Friday.

MORNING MUSING

I'd like to speak to the manager. My name's not Karen, but I have no qualms about acting like one when it comes to this drone situation. We've got a sitting Congressman claiming it's Iran and a "mothership," Pentagon spokespersons insisting it's not, and that it's not a foreign adversary and doesn't pose a threat, but they don't really know what it is — two assertions that are mutually exclusive. We've got state legislators venting frustration and local law enforcement throwing up their hands. So, yes, I'd like to speak to the manager — can anyone figure out who in the heck that is?