Friday, February 14, 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. Consider this your one-stop shop for news to kickstart your day.
TOP O' THE MORNIN'
Red-Hot at RedState
One has to wonder what that information might entail. It sounds like juicy "grab the popcorn stuff." Yes, please, Adams, spill whatever you might have; I'm sure it would be illuminating.
Thousands of Federal Employees Dismissed As Trump Begins First Round Reducing Government
I'm sure this is headed off to court, but as we saw two days ago, personnel actions must go through administrative appeals before they can come to court.
Tom Homan Has Harsh Words for the Pope
Well, Homan delivered not only the correct response to the Pope but the perfect response to the Pope.
Trending Across Townhall Media
Gun Rights Advocates Notch Big Win in Maine
This is a huge win for folks in Maine, which might be a longtime Democratic stronghold but has also been a pretty pro-gun state before all of this.
I was wrong. Trump might still be stopped, but it won't be due to his inherent weaknesses. He is performing masterfully.
So, China will be quite unhappy that organs like the New York Times and the BBC are having their USAID subsidies ended. After all, they, along with China, so often vilified their shared existential nemesis -- Donald J. Trump.
Two Independent Reporters Cited a Familiar Entity During 'Censorship Industrial Complex' Hearing
Their opening statements mentioned a familiar agency whose actions have been uncovered, thanks to the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which would be USAID.
Glenn Youngkin Puts The Washington Post on BLAST for False Article About Virginia Lab Schools
It's too bad for them that they have no influence anymore. And articles like this one are exactly the reason why.
WHAT'S ON TAP?
Today on Capitol Hill...
Most of the critters have vacated the Hill this Valentine's Day/Presidents Day weekend — many to head home and spend time with family/loved ones, no doubt, while several are headed to Munich, Germany, for the Security Conference.
Before they left, however, House Republicans managed to get a budget resolution passed out of the Budget Committee — one that they're optimistic will squeak through the full House when it's brought to the floor sometime next week.
The Senate also managed to get Robert F. Kennedy Jr. confirmed as HHS Secretary and Brooke Rollins confirmed as Secretary of Agriculture, get Howard Lutnick (Commerce) and Kelly Loeffler (SBA) past the filibuster vote, and get Kash Patel (FBI Director) voted out of the Judicial Committee before taking off.
White House What's Up
After another full day on Thursday (have any of them not been?), including the announcement of reciprocal tariffs and establishment of the Make America Healthy Again Commission, President Donald Trump seemingly has a lighter day on Friday, with executive orders to sign in the early afternoon before heading out to Mar-a-Lago.
Vice President JD Vance is in Munich for the Security Conference, following a tour of Dachau on Thursday.
Keeping Up With the Cabinet
Okay — this is going to have to be abbreviated this morning — my apologies.
Sec. State - Marco Rubio — On his way to/in Munich, following a brief detour due to a cracked windshield on the plane.
Sec. Defense - Pete Hegseth — Working out with the troops.
Attorney General - Pam Bondi — Suing everyone.
Sec. Interior - Doug Burgum — All-in on the reciprocal tariff plan.
Sec. Agriculture - Brooke Rollins — Confirmed and sworn in.
Sec. Commerce - Howard Lutnick — Looking for a confirmation vote next week.
Sec. Labor - Lori Chavez-DeRemer — Confirmation hearing incoming — meh.
Sec. Health & Human Services - Robert F. Kennedy Jr. — Confirmed and sworn in.
Sec. Housing & Urban Development - Scott Turner — Welcoming DOGE.
Sec. Transportation - Sean Duffy — Meeting with Boeing to find out what the heck is up.
Sec. Education - Linda McMahon — Made it through confirmation hearing; committee vote up next.
Sec. Homeland Security - Kristi Noem — Rounding up high-threat, illegal aliens and sending them to Gitmo.
Admin. Environmental Protection Agency - Lee Zeldin — Rooting out the fraud, waste, and abuse.
Full Court Press...
There are court filings and TROs and such flying every which way. Here's our coverage of some of the latest:
NEW: Legal Wrangling Continues With Ruling on DOGE's Move to Dismantle USAID
Federal Judge Puts Trump's Layoff Train Back on the Tracks
There's been a shake-up in the Southern District of New York, as acting U.S. Attorney Danielle Sassoon has resigned and/or been resigned over her refusal to dismiss the charges against Mayor Eric Adams after being directed to by the Justice Department. Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove's letter to Sassoon is straight fire.
Oh, and by the way, Trump reached a $10 million settlement with X over the prior suspension of his Twitter account.
COMING ATTRACTIONS
As of right now, three more hostages are set to be released by Hamas on Saturday, but what comes next remains unclear.
Look for more budget wrangling in Congress next week once they return from their recess. And we can expect a Senate confirmation vote on Patel, though the exact time/date hasn't yet been specified.
MORNING MUSING
Given that it's Valentine's Day, I'm taking a point of personal privilege to give a shout-out to my own handsome beau. He makes me laugh, makes me think, supports me, and grounds me. Plus, he makes a mean lasagna and delicious banana bread. Happy Valentine's Day to my favorite Packers fan!
Happy Valentine's Day to my favorite Packers fan. Love you @cheezbleeder! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/KZ8pzMfRyd
— Susie Moore ⚾️🌻🐶 (@SmoosieQ) February 14, 2025
LIGHTER FARE
Aren't they purty?
Snow 🤝 Clydesdales pic.twitter.com/n759uXZvWC
— Anheuser-Busch (@AnheuserBusch) February 12, 2025
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