Friday, January 17, 2025
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. If you're like us, you're waiting on pins and needles to see what the day and weekend will bring. Consider this your one-stop shop for news to kickstart your day.
TOP O' THE MORNIN'
Red-Hot at RedState
He leaves in disgrace, and no amount of googly eyes from the shameless Lawrence O’Donnell or Joe’s ponderous reflections can change that.
Gavin Newsom’s (political) world has gone up in smoke this week, and this latest toxic fire just ruins him even more.
Trump Reveals List of People Blacklisted From His Administration – They're ‘Suffering From TDS’
None of these names are a surprise, of course. They range from your average Never Trumper to people who could potentially have a treason case made against them.
Trending Across Townhall Media
California Senator Presses Bondi on Past Support for Gun Control
Ultimately, though, if Bondi is confirmed as Attorney General she'll be following Trump's lead, and he's repeatedly pledged to protect the right to keep and bear arms and to do no harm to lawful gun owners.
Once Again, Life Catches Up to The Bee
I'm starting to think I should check the Babylon Bee before I check anything else in the morning. They'll usually have it first.
Starship Flight Test 7: Now That Was One Spectacular Failure
I wish all my screwups were that pretty.
Did Anyone Else Catch Mazie Hirono's Creepy and Outlandish Question for Doug Burgum Yesterday?
I mean, she's hopeless. If you never caught Mazie on the dais, count yourself lucky.
That's Gotta Hurt! Gavin Newsom Scolds Mike Johnson and Takes an Epic Ratio
We don't know if there will be or if he could survive another recall, but Governor Hair Gel might just be watching his future political ambitions go up in smoke along with the disaster his incompetent leadership helped to create.
WHAT'S ON TAP?
Today on Capitol Hill...
After a busy week on the Hill, with multiple confirmation hearings, Friday will be a bit quieter. The only hearing set is for South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for Homeland Security Secretary. Noem will appear before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee beginning at 9:00 a.m. Eastern. The committee is chaired by Rand Paul (R-KY), and while there may be some tough questioning from the Dems on the committee, this crew seems less likely to be over the top, though one never knows for sure. Imagine replacing Alejandro Mayorkas with Noem, though — it almost makes me teary (in a happy way).
White House What's Up
He's just about done with his farewell tour. On Friday, President (three more days) Joe Biden will deliver remarks in the afternoon to the U.S. Conference of Mayors.
Full Court Press...
All eyes are on the Supreme Court Friday as it is expected they will rule on the TikTok ban, set to go into effect Sunday.
Okay, maybe not all eyes — some eyes will be on Judge Aileen Cannon's courtroom in the Southern District of Florida on Friday as the Department of Justice and attorneys for Trump and his co-defendants hash out whether or not Volume 2 of (former) Special Counsel Jack Smith's "Final Report" ought be made public.
Also, there may be a verdict today in the defamation case against CNN by U.S. Navy Veteran Zachary Young.
We will, of course, keep our eyes on all of these and bring you the details as soon as they're known.
COMING ATTRACTIONS
On Sunday, as one of his last acts as president, Joe Biden will travel to Charleston, South Carolina, to visit a Lowcountry church and a historic downtown Charleston museum. What pardons are yet to come from Corn Pop's pal?
With the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas signed, we could see the first of the hostages released this weekend. Keep praying.
Of course, Monday is the Big Day — as Trump is inaugurated and officially becomes our 47th president. This is going to be fun to watch.
Next week, confirmation hearings will continue:
- Doug Collins - Secretary of Veterans Affairs - Jan. 21
- Elise Stefanik - UN Ambassador - Jan. 21
- Russ Vought - OMB Director - (Part 2) - Jan. 22
- Dan Driscoll - Secretary of the Army - Jan. 23
- Brooke Rollins - Secretary of Agriculture - Jan. 23
We can expect more to be scheduled and full Senate votes to come swiftly on several of the nominees.
MORNING MUSING
Fridays — particularly Friday afternoons and evenings — have become notorious for news dumps. On this, a most eventful weekend, expect there to be some big surprises in store. I suppose if there aren't, that in itself will be the surprise. All I know is I plan to keep my head on a swivel for the rest of Friday and straight through the weekend — and pray that any big stories that emerge are of the positive variety.
LIGHTER FARE
You call them "trash pandas," I call them adorbs.
THE LITTLE HANDRUB AT THE BEGINNING 😭🥺 pic.twitter.com/qD5td1ubP7
— Nature is Amazing ☘️ (@AMAZlNGNATURE) January 16, 2025
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