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'
"A secure border saves lives."
Crockett isn't bright enough to understand that elementary fact.
NEW: 2nd Circuit Rules on Trump's Appeal of E. Jean Carroll Verdict
Again, for those keeping track (or trying to), this was the first case tried involving these players, although it involved statements he made later (in 2022) than the initial defamation suit (which resulted in the $83.3 million verdict and is also on appeal before the Second Circuit — and also involved rulings from the same trial judge, Lewis Kaplan).
Nasty Biden Takes Shameful Shot at Trump During His Carter Remarks
Biden did do one service for Jimmy Carter. Biden unquestionably seized the crown of worst person ever to occupy the Oval Office.
WHAT'S ON TAP?
Today on Capitol Hill...
The critters are still out for the holiday break, though they'll be back to begin the 119th Congress on Friday. In the meantime, there's ongoing intrigue regarding the Speaker spot — will Mike Johnson (R-LA) retain the role? Or will there be a tussle? I'd prefer they get to the business of certifying the election and gearing up to start implementing the agenda of President-elect Donald Trump and save the tussling for after he's sworn in. But maybe that's just me. (As I was writing this, Trump weighed in with his thoughts on the matter — seems like maybe it's not just me.)
Next week, the Senate will start holding hearings on Trump's nominees, beginning with Pete Hegseth for the SecDef spot. Sure to be interesting (and possibly entertaining).
White House What's Up
Not anything of note on President Joe Biden's schedule this holiday Monday. He's still in St. Croix, enjoying his vacation time. He did deliver remarks Sunday evening on the passing of former President Jimmy Carter.
Full Court Press...
The big news Monday is the Second Circuit's ruling in Trump's appeal of the E. Jean Carroll verdict (the first one — for $5 million). The verdict stands (for now). Trump likely will appeal it to the Supreme Court.
Sean "Diddy" Combs remains in lock-up despite reportedly having a post-Christmas meltdown over his circumstances.
MORNING MUSING
Begging your forgiveness for the tardiness of this installment — hosting morning radio this week, and then just as I sat down post-show to get this put together, the ruling came down from the Second Circuit in the Trump-Caroll case, so the media gods are conspiring against me on the timeliness front. Anyhoo...three weeks. Three weeks from today is Inauguration Day. I don't even want to contemplate what sort of shenanigans may be in store for us over the course of the next 21 days. I expect there will be some. The Dems don't seem primed to go quietly into that good political night. I'm just bracing myself — expect the unexpected.
LIGHTER FARE
Of course not!
do you mind if i invade your personal space? pic.twitter.com/s3mxYguREJ
— Punch Cat (@PunchingCat) December 29, 2024
Join the conversation as a VIP Member