Thursday, June 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
How Israel Lured Iran's Top Generals to Their Deaths Will Blow Your Mind
If someone had written a spy novel with these same details, the publisher would have probably said it was too unrealistic.
Medical School Dean Fights the 'Stereotype' That Women Have Vaginas
In Southern Illinois, ICE is a cold cancer; global health occupies a local school's purview; DEI is a prophylactic priority; and some patients put the "guy" in "gynecology."
Prosecutors in Albany contend the incident involving the Trump-appointed attorney was a "random" street encounter. But the man never should have been on the streets in the first place.
Trending Across Townhall Media
Shannon Watts Melts Down Over ICE Arrest of New York Politician
It's downright nuts for Watts to claim that "no one is safe" from ICE. So long as you're in this country legally and don't obstruct their ability to do their job, you'll be just fine.
Dem's Dilemma: What's Good for Blue Staters Is Bad for Red Staters
Don't expect the Democrats to moderate any time soon. The incentives are just too strong for individual politicians to make the obvious move to the center attractive for any Democrats in Blue districts.
The PR Fallout of Ted Cruz Versus Tucker Carlson: Yes, It’s Just as Bad as You Heard
And that’s the PR lesson for Republicans: Tucker Carlson isn’t interested in what you have to say. If you accept an invitation to be on his show, don’t expect to be treated respectfully. Don’t expect it’ll be an honest, open exchange of ideas.
Watch Trump's Reaction When This Reporter Revealed Who She Worked for
“Do you ever ask a positive question at CNN?” asked Trump. He added that his base is more in love with him now than ever.
It was so nice of Warren to give Hegseth a chance to point out all the lawlessness the Democrats have allowed inside the U.S. that both ICE, the National Guard and the military shouldn't have to be focused on.
WHAT'S ON TAP?
Today on Capitol Hill...
It's Juneteenth, which is now a federal holiday, so no meetings or hearings on the Hill today. Wednesday featured some lively moments, though:
READ MORE: Watch: Hawley, Schmitt Are Loaded for Bear During Hearing on Cover-Up of Joe Biden's Decline
Fox News' Chad Pergram had a good overview of the hearing on former President Biden's diminished capacity.
A Congressional probe into Biden’s cognitive state. My report: https://t.co/dsHpnGloRJ
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) June 19, 2025
White House What's Up
President Donald Trump is set to receive his intelligence briefing at 11:30 AM Eastern — this one in the Situation Room as the conflict between Israel and Iran continues to ratchet up.
President Trump will receive his intelligence briefing tomorrow morning in the Situation Room at 11:30 am.
— Katie Pavlich (@KatiePavlich) June 19, 2025
In the afternoon, he's set to participate in the Swearing-In Ceremony for the Ambassador to the Republic of Ireland.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt will hold a press briefing at 1:00 PM Eastern.
Full Court Press...
The Supreme Court handed down five decisions on Wednesday, the most notable of which upheld a Tennessee law prohibiting "gender affirming" treatment for minors.
READ MORE: Supreme Court Hands Tennessee and America a Major Win in Transgender Transition Case
The court is also expected to hand down decisions on Friday and next Thursday. (There may be one more decision day added.)
The latest installment of the Skinny on SCOTUS series is out (and look for another one this evening or tomorrow). Additionally, Part 3 of the "By the Numbers" series, taking a closer look at how the D.C. District Court has been ruling in the cases involving the Trump administration, is now published.
The courts, of course, are closed today in observance of the holiday.
COMING ATTRACTIONS
President Trump is set to attend the annual NATO Summit in the Netherlands next week.
As noted above, we can expect more Supreme Court decisions on Friday.
MORNING MUSING
The Judiciary Committee hearing on Wednesday regarding the Biden presidency and, in particular, the heavy reliance on the autopen to affix his signature to untold numbers of proclamations, pardons, and executive orders, was eye-opening in many respects. First, of course, there was the utter refusal of Senate Democrats to participate in the hearing (save Vermont's Peter Welch, who actually started out his remarks decently, before taking a sour turn, and Illinois' Dick Durbin, who offered up an anemic "But Trump!!1!" before exiting the dais). They offered no witness and simply refused to acknowledge that there could be any issue worth examining.
Then, there's the fascinating juxtaposition of a party squawking about "No Kings!" while simultaneously dismissing concerns over the fact that we were apparently ruled by autopen for at least the last half of the Biden presidency. Now, of course, it wasn't the pen itself making the decision. No — it was nameless, faceless, unelected others who were calling the shots. And that's apparently just hunky dory with the Dems: Forget the Constitution, which provides for a unitary executive. Let an unelected, unnamed, unaccountable committee run things. Let an unelected, behemoth bureaucracy run the show. Let an unelected judiciary make the ultimate calls. Those are all preferable to letting the dude who was duly elected by 77 million people (and 31 out of 50 states) exercise his constitutional authority. That's messed up, friends.
LIGHTER FARE
I wish this were my mood....
Mood.. 😂 pic.twitter.com/XEvxR1nZqX
— Buitengebieden (@buitengebieden) June 18, 2025
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