Monday, March 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. Consider this your one-stop shop for news to kickstart your day.
TOP O' THE MORNIN'
Red-Hot at RedState
Trump Puts Cheney, Fauci on Notice: Declares Pardons Officially ‘Void’ and Demands Investigation
It's difficult to say whether Trump's declaration that these pardons are "void " has any legal heft, though it's clear he would like a thorough investigation into the matter. It's going to be a difficult mess to untangle.
Report: The Reason Why WH Ignored Judge's Order Requiring Planeload of Gangbangers to Turn Around
As has become the norm in this day and age, though, the Democrats come out looking like ghouls. Here they are saying, “Bring the violent gangbangers back to America!”
DC Judge Who Tried to Stop Deportations Gets a Harsh Message From El Salvador's President
Now, we'll discover the extent to which Article 3 judges are willing to assume responsibility for national security decisions.
Trending Across Townhall Media
Proof That Guns Aren't The Issue With NYC Subway Crime, But They Are the Solution
Guns aren't the problem. People are the problem, and a gun isn't necessary for them to be a problem, as we can see here.
NEW: Trump Declares Biden Pardons 'VOID, VACANT, AND OF NO FURTHER FORCE OR EFFECT'
We're far better off sticking to autopen memes and pursuing a reform of the pardon process that allows for more review before pardons get issued in the first place.
You'll Never Guess Who Else Thinks Newsom's Podcast Is Totally Cringe
Magicians distract the audience with flourishes of one hand so they don't notice the other hand palming the coin or whatever. Newsom perhaps is trying to distract the audience with both hands so they won't notice what the mouth is saying. That part is working.
Tremendous: Trump White House Ignored This Part of a Little Judge's Order on Venezuelan Deportations
It’s not like this administration is unprepared for the legal rope a dope like the first presidency. Trump has assembled a crew of fighters and they’re willing to appeal and challenge everything and anything.
Sudden Constitutional Scholar Jake Tapper Says Trump Cannot Nullify Biden's Autopen Pardons
The same people fine with the Autopen Presidency will also scream about how Elon Musk is an unelected oligarch running America.
WHAT'S ON TAP?
Today on Capitol Hill...
The House and Senate are out this week, so there's not as much activity on the Hill, but that doesn't mean there's nothing of consequence going on. Per Punchbowl:
Some news: Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries met in Brooklyn on Sunday as Democrats were left reeling from a government shutdown fight that exposed bitter internal divisions over how to take on President Donald Trump.
Jeffries and other top House Democrats have been critical of Schumer’s decision to allow the House GOP funding bill to advance and avoid a shutdown. In an extraordinary press conference on Friday, Jeffries refused multiple times to say whether he has confidence in Schumer.
While the Dems continue in disarray, and there are calls by some in his party for Chuck Schumer to step aside, it ain't happening, though there's no question he fumbled on the handling of the CR.
White House What's Up
President Donald Trump is set to head to the Kennedy Performing Arts Center Monday afternoon for a board meeting and tour.
Vice President JD Vance touted his visit to Michigan with SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler, noting, "This administration is leaving 40 years of failed industrial policy behind and bringing American manufacturing BACK!"
Keeping Up With the Cabinet
Sec. State - Marco Rubio — Rubio once again set CBS News' Margaret Brennan straight on a number of issues on "Face the Nation."
Sec. Treasury - Scott Bessent — Bessent discussed President Trump's plan to bring manufacturing jobs back to the U.S.
Sec. Defense - Pete Hegseth — Hegseth had a stern warning for Iran and the Houthis.
Attorney General - Pam Bondi — Bondi's DOJ appealed the judge's order forbidding the deportation of Tren de Aragua members under the Alien Enemies Act.
Sec. Housing & Urban Development - Scott Turner — Turner sits down with Bret Baier for Monday's "Special Report."
Sec. Transportation - Sean Duffy — Duffy visited Boeing:
I toured their production line, met with leadership, and spoke with engineers to make sure the company is focused on restoring the industry-leading quality that first earned Americans’ trust and made it a great company.
Sec. Education - Linda McMahon — McMahon visited with Vertex Academies as her first school visit.
Sec. Homeland Security - Kristi Noem — Noem declared the days of "immigration enforcement theater" (as we saw under the Biden administration) over.
Dir. Federal Bureau of Investigations - Kash Patel — Patel touted "A renewed mission. A stronger future" for the FBI.
Full Court Press...
Lots of developments over the weekend on the court fight over the Trump administration's removal of Tren de Aragua gang members from the country and the D.C. District Court presiding judge's Temporary Restraining Order thereon. Look for that to play out further this week in that court and the appellate courts.
We can also expect a number of court-related developments this week in the numerous suits against Trump and/or his administration as they work their way through the system. And expect some legal fallout regarding the burgeoning Autopen scandal and the questioned validity of the pardons "signed" by former President Joe Biden in the waning days of his administration.
COMING ATTRACTIONS
President Trump is slated to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday. Will we see progress on a potential Russia-Ukraine peace deal?
MORNING MUSING
A Happy St. Patrick's Day to all. It's a favorite holiday of mine, particularly as it was a favorite of my Dad's. He truly enjoyed donning his green blazer and heading out to one of the numerous area celebrations and/or parades - and I'm sporting my bright green fingernails to mark the occasion as well. I am Irish, by the way — at least partially. Mostly, I'm a Northern-Euro mutt blend, but the majority of my 23 and Me DNA results (71.6 percent) ping as "British & Irish," so I think that counts, right? I look forward to enjoying some corned beef and cabbage this evening with my handsome beau. I think another reason I enjoy St. Pat's is because it signals we're truly rounding the corner into Spring — and our 70-degree weather today will most certainly reinforce that. Hope all of our readers enjoy the luck of the Irish today.
— Susie Moore ⚾️🌻🐶 (@SmoosieQ) March 17, 2025
LIGHTER FARE
No one can convince me that dogs don't smile.
It was a joke..🐶🦖😅 pic.twitter.com/QrF1W8Nq4a
— 𝕐o̴g̴ (@Yoda4ever) March 17, 2025
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