Monday, September 29, 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
Big Changes in the Big Three 2025 Elections
Once again, in New Jersey, Sherrill is running against history, as it is very hard for one party to win three straight terms for governor.
New: Bad Night for Antifa in Portland As Feds Move In
It is, of course, only going to get worse for Antifa and their allies the longer they keep this up, as Trump has made it crystal clear that the days of feckless "leadership" from Democrats amid the routine takeovers of city streets from these far-left thugs in blue cities are over.
Deja Vu: German Pizzeria Owner Bans Israelis From Restaurant
At best, what Squitieri did was incredibly stupid and idiotic. At worst, it was antisemitic and intentional. And there is a large grey area between those two extremes.
Trending Across Townhall Media
Columbus, GA City Council Wants Changes to State's Gun Laws
It's not enough that they want to do this in Columbus, but they want this at the state level. I'll give them credit for recognizing preemption is a thing--Savannah could learn a thing or two here--but that doesn't make me feel a whole lot better.
Politicians Portray Peaceful Portland Paradise and...Pinot Noir
There are plenty of places to get a fine meal and a decent Pinot Noir, if those are your goals in life. We don't have to tolerate domestic terrorists attacking law enforcement to preserve Portland's unique vibe.
Bikini Politics: Did This California Mom Cross the Line or Did the School Board?
It's been a while since I was that age, but I'm trying to imagine being in middle school and our gym teachers telling the students they can use whatever locker room they feel like using.
They Came for Chickens but Left a Family Shattered
“They didn’t care if my sister was dying. They didn’t care if we missed the flight. All they cared about was the chickens and putting us in jail."
Congresswoman's Rose-Tinted Portland Pic Desperately Tries to Gloss Over the City's War-Zone Chaos
It just goes to show, perspective is everything.
WHAT'S ON TAP?
Today on Capitol Hill...
The critters are back, and this is sure to be a lively week on the Hill with the government funding deadline on Tuesday. There is one field hearing set for Monday morning, in Charlotte, North Carolina:
- House Judiciary —“'Victims of Violent Crime' will examine violent crime in Charlotte, North Carolina and the surrounding areas looking at repeat offenders and lenient pretrial release policies and decisions among others."
But aside from that, the focus will be on the looming shutdown and the scheduled meeting between President Trump and congressional leaders on Monday afternoon.
READ MORE: Trump Agrees to Meet Schumer and Jeffries to Stave Off Shutdown That Trump Just Might Want
White House What's Up
As noted above, President Trump is set to meet with congressional leaders this afternoon in an effort to stave off a government shutdown. Before that, however, he's set to sign an executive order in the morning, and then meet and lunch with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, after which they'll host a joint press conference.
And then, following his Oval Office meeting on the shutdown, the president will participate in a Gold Star Families reception in the East Room.
Keeping Up With the Cabinet
Sec. Transportation - Sean Duffy — Duffy recently exposed a massive issue with CDL licensing.
READ MORE: Transportation Secretary Duffy Exposes Massive CDL Scam for Illegals
Duffy also recently reaffirmed the administration's commitment to continue assisting those affected by the devastation of Hurricane Helene one year ago.
Rural communities devastated by Hurricane Helene will never be forgotten. Under @POTUS, @USDOT is delivering the single largest emergency relief package in our department’s history.
— Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) September 28, 2025
Read my op-ed on this week’s anniversary of Helene in the @theobserver: pic.twitter.com/LEm3TgDa7j
Full Court Press...
We're one week out from the Supreme Court beginning its 2025 term, but the court has continued issuing rulings of note even in its "off-season." On Friday, the court once again sided with the Trump administration on the USAID funding cases.
READ MORE: Once Again, the Trump Administration Snags a Win From SCOTUS on USAID Funding Case
And we're still anticipating a ruling on the administration's application for stay in the Lisa Cook (removal of Federal Reserve Board governor) case.
COMING ATTRACTIONS
The big one, of course, is the shutdown saga.
As also noted, the Supreme Court will be back in session starting next Monday. They've got oral arguments set in six cases next week and four more the following week. We'll have a rundown of those on their respective argument dates.
MORNING MUSING
My Sunday morning didn't start off so great. As the morning desk editor, I was responsible for ensuring the latest news was being covered, and just as I was putting together an update for the tragic story out of Southport, North Carolina, our own John Doe alerted me to an unfolding horror in Grand Blanc, Michigan. Another church attacked; more innocent lives struck down. More senseless violence. More evidence of evil encroaching.
That's the nature of what we do here — unfortunately, "news" often is of the bleak variety. But there are moments of light, too. Jennifer Oliver O'Connell shares those weekly with her Feel Good Friday installments. Bob Hoge has brought us his heroes. Many of our writers cover moments of triumph and sweetness and light. What a blessing it is to be able to share Good News.
In any case, I was ruminating on that darkness vs. light theme this morning while contemplating what I'd write about here, and I was reminded of a song I used to love. Now, bear with me because it's the Indigo Girls and I'm sure their politics don't align with mine (or yours if you're reading this). But that's rather beside the point here. Even their reference to "the president" being out of touch with the masses shouldn't rankle — it was 1992, and that would have been H.W. Bush, and they probably weren't all that wrong on that point.
This one's landing for me this morning, so I felt called to pass it along:
Battle zones
A single light bulb
On a single thread for the black
Sirens wail
History fails
Rose-colored glass
Begins to age and crack
While the politicians shadowbox
The power ring
In an endless split decision
Never solve anything
From a neighbor's distant land
I heard the strain of the common man
(this is not a fighting song)
Let it be me
(not a wrong for a wrong)
Let it be me
If the world is night
Shine my life like a light
And the president
Has no good idea
Of who the masses are
Well I'm one of them
And I'm among friends
We're trying to see beyond
The fences in our own backyards
I've seen the kingdoms blow
Like ashes in the winds of change
But the power of truth
Is the fuel for the flame
So the darker the ages get
There's a stronger beacon yet
(this is not a fighting song)
Let it be me
(not a wrong for a wrong)
Let it be me
If the world is night
Shine my life like a light
In the turn of the cheek
When your vision stays clear
In the face of your fear
Then you see turning out a light switch
Is their only power
When we stand like spotlights
In a mighty tower
All for one and one for all
Then we sing the common call
(this is not a fighting song)
Let it be me
(not a wrong for a wrong)
Let it be me
If the world is night
Shine my life like a light
Okay, now go ahead and tease me for having a hippy-dippy moment, I'll take it. May your day be a good one, and may you shine your life like a light. ❤️
LIGHTER FARE
Quit touching me! Maaaaaaa!!
Siblings be like ..🐘😅 pic.twitter.com/i6FVwCeIcw
— 𝕐o̴g̴ (@Yoda4ever) September 29, 2025
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