Thursday, October 16, 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
The Voting Rights Act Probably Won't Be 'Gutted,' but the Supreme Court Appears Set to Restrain It
Section 2 was never meant to guarantee racial proportionality in Congress. It was meant to prevent state officials from using race to suppress. Somewhere along the way, compliance with Section 2 began requiring state officials to use race to divide.
They can't stand the fact that this guy is onto their games. They're even willing to sacrifice a Senate seat to prove their intolerance.
I mean, Barragán has made this officer a pawn in her sick attention-seeking, virtue-signaling game. Absolutely pathetic.
Trending Across Townhall Media
A Surprisingly Good Self-Defense Decision From Massachusetts' Top Court
This is a common sense decision that hopefully will likely very few opportunities to be applied, since the vast majority of defensive gun uses don't result in injuries or the deaths of innocent bystanders.
A Path to Shut Down Government Shutdowns
If this impasse goes beyond the No Kings/doodah parade on the Mall Saturday, it's high time the Republicans act like the governing party they are, and move to reform the Senate further in order to get back to regular order.
U.S. Bombers Appear to Send Maduro a Message — With Some NSFW Sky Doodles
Many believed this was a sign that something was happening — as in the U.S. finally taking action on Venezuelan soil — but it looks like it was just another intimidation tactic. However, two of our fine Air Force pilots appeared to leave Maduro some cheeky artwork, a message that probably doesn't need much explanation.
What the Hell Happened to the Dems on CNN Last Night?
The best part is that they cannot reopen the government until this No Kings rally ends this weekend. No way are Democrats risking their unhinged base camping outside their offices over the weekend. They’ll vent and then cave days later.
If that horrific debate performance wasn't the end of Spanberger's career, Virginia Democrats may have just done it by setting this perfect drop up for Sears.
WHAT'S ON TAP?
Today on Capitol Hill...
The stalemate on the Hill continues, but the Senate does have one meeting set for today (and it's about judges and U.S. attorneys):
- Senate Judiciary — Business meeting to consider the nominations of Robert P. Chamberlin, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Mississippi, James D. Maxwell II, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Mississippi, Thomas Albus, to be United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri for the term of four years, James Kruger, to be United States Attorney for the Southern District of Mississippi 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, and Adam Mildred, of Indiana, to be United States Attorney for the Northern District of Indiana for the term of four years
Meanwhile, Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) seems to be the sole remaining sane Democrat in Congress.
Watch: Pelosi Goes Berserk When Cornered With Questions From Reporter About Jan. 6
White House What's Up
On Wednesday, President Trump held a press conference in the Oval Office, alongside FBI Director Kash Patel, to announce the massive success of "Operation Summer Heat" in reducing crime. On Thursday, he'll receive his intelligence briefing in the late morning. Then, in the afternoon, he's set to make another "announcement." Thursday evening is the annual Al Smith Dinner in New York, but it doesn't appear that the president will be attending this year's dinner.
Vice President JD Vance has rightly received plenty of praise for his role in the second Trump administration. Second Lady Usha also impresses.
READ MORE: Usha Vance Would Make a Fine First Lady — These Last Few Weeks Prove It
Keeping Up With the Cabinet
Sec. Treasury - Scott Bessent — Bessent shared a post to X regarding his recent meeting with Japan's finance minister.
Today I met with Finance Minister @KatsunobuKato1 of Japan to discuss plans for mobilizing Japan's strategic investment in the United States through the US.-Japan trade and investment agreement.
— Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (@SecScottBessent) October 16, 2025
Minister Kato and I also discussed important issues pertaining to the U.S.-Japan… pic.twitter.com/penSszxj8k
On Tuesday, he took a well-placed jab at Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) for her Peronist tendencies.
Full Court Press...
The big story at the Supreme Court on Wednesday was the argument in the Voting Rights Act case out of Louisiana.
READ MORE: The Voting Rights Act Probably Won't Be 'Gutted,' but the Supreme Court Appears Set to Restrain It
Could a SCOTUS Decision in 'Louisiana v. Callais' End Democrat Redistricting Scams Once and for All?
The next round of arguments before the high court begins on November 3rd.
In the meantime, we got several notable decisions from the lower courts (including a couple from last week that I missed previously):
- ❌ Association of American Universities v. Department of Defense (indirect cost rates) — Judge Brian Murphy (Massachusetts) GRANTS plaintiffs' motion for summary judgment and DENIES defendants'.
- ❌ Community Legal Services in East Palo Alto v. United States Department of Health and Human Services (contract termination for services to unaccompanied minors) — 9th Circuit Court of Appeals DENIES admin's petition for rehearing en banc (re: denial of stay pending appeal).
- ❌ State of California v. USDA (disclosure of personal financial records to DOGE) — Judge Maxine Chesney (Northern District of California) GRANTS plaintiffs' motion for preliminary injunction.
- ❌ AFGE v. OMB (shutdown layoffs) — Judge Susan Illston (Northern District of California) GRANTS plaintiffs' motion for TRO.
And if you happened to appreciate the SCOTUS scorecard I published previously, I'm working on a series involving the circuit courts of appeal. The article on the 1st Circuit is up — and the administration is down there 3-17.
COMING ATTRACTIONS
President Trump is set to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House on Friday.
On Saturday, October 18, 2025, Vice President Vance will attend a 250th anniversary celebration for the United States Marine Corps at Camp Pendleton, California
Vance will also be speaking at a TPUSA event at Ole Miss on October 29.
MORNING MUSING
I realize that congressional Democrats don't have a complete monopoly on political stunts, but they sure do seem to dominate in the field, don't they? Watching their silly march on the Speaker's office Tuesday evening, I once again winced at the cringe.
I'm always tempted at moments like that to ponder how I'd feel about it if I were still a Democrat (as I was up until my early-mid 30s). Would I be clapping like a seal over their antics? Or would I be rolling my eyes and muttering that I wish they'd find less ridiculous ways to make their points? It's hard to know for sure, but I will say that there are times when I see Republicans engaging in some of the silliness and my reaction is the latter, so I'm going to assume that would be the case for Dems as well if I were still one of them.
All I know is that it's difficult to view their behavior as anything other than childish tantruming. And it's rather bizarre to realize that John Fetterman, he of the baggy hoodies and shorts, is pretty much the lone grown-up in the room.
LIGHTER FARE
What a lovely way to start the day.
Little squirrel is enjoying his breakfast with a view..🐿️😍
— 𝕐o̴g̴ (@Yoda4ever) October 16, 2025
📹garretdefert pic.twitter.com/QIOxcbBiTM
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