Wednesday, March 19, 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
Elon Musk Delivers Brutal Reminder for Tim Walz After Failed Veep Candidate Mocks Tesla Stock Prices
But, haha, at least Tesla's stock is falling and giving little Tim Walz a boost to his mornings as he reads the newspaper and inhales his bowl of Lucky Charms.
Roberts knows he and his liberal judge colleagues could lose the narrative. Fast.
The Vances continue to be a joy to watch as they carefully but confidently navigate the choppy DC/media political terrain with seeming ease.
Trending Across Townhall Media
DOJ Attorney Says Silencers Aren't Protected By the Second Amendment
How can Peterson be guilty of possessing what the NFA calls an unregistered firearm when the federal courts say he didn't possess a firearm at all?
Left Ramping Up the Domestic Terrorism Something Fierce
Only long jail sentences and very harsh treatment will make a dent in this, because the people behind this will not stop. It has gotten to the point that they are begging for a coup.
Mainstream Media’s SHAMEFUL Attacks on Karoline Leavitt: ‘Airhead, Idiot, Child Bride!’
The same liberals who screamed “Down with the Patriarchy!” and once demanded we “Believe all women!” is doing everything they can to discredit, demean, and destroy this 27-year-old woman… simply because they disagree with her politically.
Vox Article Reveals Just How Popular Donald Trump Was in 2024
Overall, the theme here is that we’re a diverse nation, our system rewards that geographic diversity, and right now, the Republicans are running the table.
'Oh, Haarrry! You Got Some Splainin' to Do!' DNC Paid Dweeb Sisson Caught in Snapchat Sex Scandal
If nothing else, we can at least hope that his depraved behavior toward these women results in the end of Harry Sisson as a 'social media influencer.'
WHAT'S ON TAP?
Today on Capitol Hill...
It's Spring Break for the critters, so instead, we get to see them making the rounds on the TV shows and such — like Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) as he desperately attempts to do damage control in the wake of his (seeming) about-face on the interim spending bill.
The Dems in disarray has been a recurring theme since November's election, and with so many venting their spleens at No Shutdown Schumer, talk is now turning to who else may be on the congressional leadership track, including Sen. Brian Schatz (HI) (who led the charge opposing Trump's nominees) and Sen. Chris Murphy (CT) (despite some issues on the domestic front at present).
We did learn Tuesday that Vice President JD Vance will serve as the RNC's finance chair ahead of the 2026 election in an effort to grow the GOP's congressional majority.
White House What's Up
President Donald Trump held a 90-minute phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday. Trump is set to receive his intelligence briefing late Wednesday morning. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt will hold a press briefing Wednesday afternoon.
On Tuesday, Vice President JD Vance delivered remarks at the American Dynamism Summit, outlining the Great American Manufacturing Comeback.
Keeping Up With the Cabinet
Sec. State - Marco Rubio — Rubio threatened escalating sanctions on Venezuela if they refuse to accept repatriated citizens. Over the weekend, he once again schooled CBS News' Margaret Brennan.
Sec. Treasury - Scott Bessent — Bessent welcomed IRS whistleblowers Gary Shapley and Joseph Ziegler to the Treasury Department.
Sec. Defense - Pete Hegseth — Hegseth (and Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell) promised accountability for the disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal.
Attorney General - Pam Bondi — The DOJ announced a new task force "dedicated to obtaining justice for Americans murdered or taken hostage on October 7, 2023."
Sec. Interior - Doug Burgum — Burgum is vowing to cut through red tape to develop energy sources faster.
Sec. Agriculture - Brooke Rollins — Rollins touted President Trump's proclamation in honor of National Agriculture Day.
Sec. Labor - Lori Chavez-DeRemer — LCD is vowing to work with President Trump to bring American manufacturing back.
Sec. Health & Human Services - Robert F. Kennedy Jr. — Kennedy announced Operation Stork Speed "to expand options for safe, reliable, and nutritious infant formula for American families."
Sec. Transportation - Sean Duffy — Duffy celebrated the return of astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams after nine long months in space. Duffy also announced plans for a complete upgrade of the air traffic control system during a spot on "Fox and Friends" Wednesday morning.
Sec. Energy - Chris Wright — Wright announced the reopening of the Palisades Nuclear Plant in southwestern Michigan.
Sec. Education - Linda McMahon — McMahon visited Miami's Lubavitch Educational Center on Tuesday, in addition to stops at Doral Academy and True North Classical Academy.
Sec. Veterans Affairs - Doug Collins — Collins called out DOGE critics for spreading fake news regarding their auditing of VA operations.
Sec. Homeland Security - Kristi Noem — Noem co-piloted a U.S. Coast Guard C-130 in Kodiak, Alaska, and participated in a firefighting exercise at the Kodiak base.
Admin. Environmental Protection Agency - Lee Zeldin — Zeldin weighed in on the latest court ruling regarding the Biden EPA's "gold bar" scheme.
Admin. Small Business Association - Kelly Loeffler — Loeffler touted the SBA's Made in America Manufacturing Initiative.
Dir. Federal Bureau of Investigations - Kash Patel — On Monday, Patel welcomed Dan Bongino to the FBI as its Deputy Director. Tuesday, Patel announced the capture of the third fugitive from the FBI's Ten Most Wanted list since President Trump took office.
Dir. National Intelligence - Tulsi Gabbard — After fending off a completely manufactured quote by the AP, Gabbard announced the release of the JFK files.
National Security Advisor - Mike Waltz — Waltz joined "Fox & Friends" Wednesday to discuss Trump's phone call with Putin.
National Economic Council Director - Kevin Hassett — Hassett touted some of the positive signs we're seeing regarding the economy.
Full Court Press...
I'm not even sure I know where to begin...the courts have lost their ever-lovin' minds.
Go home, Judiciary. You're drunk. https://t.co/IAmCokxrQc
— Susie Moore ⚾️🌻🐶 (@SmoosieQ) March 19, 2025
Meanwhile, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court decided to try and preserve the sanctity of the judicial system by...getting in an indirect slap-fight with the President of the United States — who, by the way, insists you can't defy court orders (fascist dictator that he is /sarc).
On defying court orders, POTUS says “you can’t do that” pic.twitter.com/F7aWChFoc0
— Jacqui Heinrich (@JacquiHeinrich) March 19, 2025
COMING ATTRACTIONS
The JFK files have been released, and we can expect to see some interesting follow-up stories as folks comb through the documents (although much of what was released is not actually "new").
MORNING MUSING
As alluded to in the Full Court Press section above, I'm semi-gobsmacked at the behavior of the federal judiciary at present. I shared my thoughts on Roberts' ill-advised statement on X, but will reiterate them here:
I disagree with Chief Justice Roberts fairly regularly, but I've always understood - and semi-respected - his impulse to protect the court and the institution of the judiciary. It has, at times, resulted in rulings from him that confound many, but again, I've generally understood where he's coming from, even if I disagree with his ultimate decision.
This statement, on his part, was an unforced error and may, in the long run, have the exact opposite effect of his intent.
The court is going to have to reckon with this fight sooner rather than later. What many fail to appreciate is that the end result of this (admittedly uncomfortable) process can - and should - be a better-delineated and better-functioning federal government, with each of the branches attending to their respective roles.
IMO, SCOTUS is falling down on the job here, and in his effort to protect the institution, Roberts may well end up driving a stake through the heart of it. And that truly would be a shame.
The Trump administration may not be making every move just right (though they've clearly strategized most of them ahead of time). It's possible some of the actions taken by the administration should be curtailed somewhat via court rulings. But the way the federal judiciary — and in particular, the D.C. District Court — is handling the litigation over these matters is a disaster right now, and Roberts and the Supremes need to get a handle on it. Pronto.
LIGHTER FARE
It's like Mother Nature approves of this accomplishment.
Dolphin cam!!! pic.twitter.com/K250W8CEzp
— Ellie in Space 🚀💫 (@esherifftv) March 18, 2025
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