Thursday, September 11, 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 Year Later, THE Sign Still Stands
One year ago, I flipped a switch in Amsterdam, New York, and three words lit up the night sky: Vote For Trump.
North Carolina’s U.S. Senate Race Just Took Center Stage
But the Democrats are committed to their leftism, and they seemingly never remember that things are not going to end well for them if they actually implement their policies.
Matthew Dowd Has Been Fired by MSNBC After Grotesque Comments on Charlie Kirk
It'd be a good time for him to find a hobby and perhaps try some introspection about just how much of his humanity he's lost.
Trending Across Townhall Media
DeSantis Has Tough Words to Florida Republicans Over Open Carry
We've gotten more pro-gun moves from states with much tighter legislative balances. If those states can do it, Florida can.
It's Getting Harder and Harder Not to Hate the Left, But...
Despite the provocation, we must choose civilization. That doesn't mean giving in; it just means not giving in to our inner demons and seeking revenge. It means fighting for our civilization.
The Day the Masks Came Off: What Charlie Kirk’s Murder Reveals About the Left
Charlie Kirk’s voice is gone. But the silence left behind speaks louder than words.
After Charlie Kirk Was Assassinated, Dems Kept Saying This Phrase. It Was a Little Jarring.
Thoughts and prayers are worthless for some shootings but not others. Democrats, liberals—you’re terrible at this.
Hopefully, she will use this time to reflect on her behavior and understand why her words caused such offense.
WHAT'S ON TAP?
Today on Capitol Hill...
There are only four meetings/hearings set on the Hill for Thursday:
- Senate Energy and Natural Resources — Business meeting to consider S.472, to amend the Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Management Act of 1996 to provide for the establishment of a Ski Area Fee Retention Account, S.1279, to redesignate the Hulls Cove Visitor Center at Acadia National Park as the George J. Mitchell Visitor Center, S.1453, to confirm the use of certain non-Federal land in Salt Lake City, Utah, for public purposes, S.909 and H.R.1043, bills to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to convey certain land to La Paz County, Arizona, and the nominations of Laura Swett, of Virginia, and David LaCerte, of Louisiana, both to be a Member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
- Senate Armed Services — Hearings to examine the nomination of General Christopher J. Mahoney, USMC, for reappointment to the grade of general and to be Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
- Senate Judiciary — Business meeting to consider the nominations of Joshua D. Dunlap, of Maine, to be United States Circuit Judge for the First Circuit, Eric Chunyee Tung, of California, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit, William W. Mercer, to be United States District Judge for the District of Montana, Stephen Chad Meredith, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Kentucky, Arch Capito, to be United States Attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia for the term of four years, David Dunavant, to be United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee for the term of four years, Matthew Harvey, to be United States Attorney for the Northern District of West Virginia for the term of four years, John Heekin, to be United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida for the term of four years, Scott Leary, to be United States Attorney for the Northern District of Mississippi for the term of four years, Leif Olson, to be United States Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa for the term of four years, Adam Sleeper, to be United States Attorney for the District of the Virgin Islands for the term of four years, and David Toepfer, to be United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio for the term of four years
- Senate Foreign Relations — A hearing to examine the nominations of Sergio Gor, of Florida, to be Ambassador to the Republic of India, Herschel Walker, of Georgia, to be Ambassador to the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, Andrew Veprek, of Louisiana, to be an Assistant Secretary (Population, Refugees, and Migration), and James Holtsnider, of Iowa, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Counselor, to be Ambassador to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, all of the Department of State
It may be just as well that the House isn't holding meetings today, given the way Wednesday unfolded.
READ MORE: Dems Know No Shame, Scoff on House Floor at Call to Prayer for Charlie Kirk
White House What's Up
President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania are attending a September 11th observance event at the Pentagon Thursday morning. Later this afternoon, President Trump will head to New York, where he plans to attend a Yankees game this evening.
Vice President JD Vance and Second Lady Usha will visit Ground Zero in New York City on Thursday to attend the 24th anniversary commemoration ceremony of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Full Court Press...
There were a handful of notable decisions on Wednesday from the courts, but those largely got drowned out by the Charlie Kirk news. I'll try to compile a round-up of them in a separate article later this morning.
COMING ATTRACTIONS
Next week, President Trump travels to the U.K.
We can also expect a lot more appropriations discussion out of Congress.
MORNING MUSING
I've been mulling what I could possibly say in this space that would be adequate for today since yesterday afternoon. The original intention was to reflect on September 11, as I have every year for the past 24. Wednesday's events prompted me to rethink that. What a sad, somber week this has been. It started off with losing my godmother — my mom's dearest friend of 70 years. We have her visitation tomorrow and her funeral on Saturday. The 11th, of course, always makes me melancholy. And then yesterday happened, and I feel utterly soul-sick.
I can't claim Charlie Kirk as a personal friend, though many of my friends can. I can claim him as a colleague/fellow member of the Salem family. More than that, though, I can recognize the force of nature he was, even at such a young age. He inspired so many — particularly young people, including my daughter and her peers.
I've seen so many of Charlie's sentiments and tweets shared over the past 20 hours, but the first one I saw this morning was this:
When things are moving very fast and people are losing their minds, it’s important to stay grounded. Turn off your phone, read scripture, spend time with friends, and remember internet fury is not real life. It’s going to be ok.
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) June 17, 2025
When things are moving very fast and people are losing their minds, it’s important to stay grounded. Turn off your phone, read scripture, spend time with friends, and remember internet fury is not real life. It’s going to be ok.
And in the midst of the heartache, that was what I needed to see. He was wise beyond his years, that Charlie.
"It's going to be ok."
LIGHTER FARE
We could all use a pupper-upper today.
Happy pupper..🐕🐾😍 pic.twitter.com/vFoDeaYSAv
— 𝕐o̴g̴ (@Yoda4ever) September 11, 2025
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