Wednesday, December 17, 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
Wonders Will Never Cease — Federal Judge Declines to Block Trump Ballroom Construction
The court proceedings over the big project will continue, but it was nice for one day at least to write that a federal judge actually declined an opportunity to derail the duly elected president’s agenda.
JD Vance Turns Tables on Reporter's 'Conspiracy Theorist' Gotcha Question in Spectacular Fashion
As for Vance, he just nailed it in his response, turning the question around on the reporter by pointing out that not only had the "conspiracy theorist" chatter been a running joke between Wiles and him for months, but also that he was a conspiracy theorist only in the cases where the theory proved true.
When it comes to limiting immigration, the entire country is racist, in her view. When it comes to a very specific terrorist attack on the Jewish community by Islamic State-inspired terrorists, it's just a shrug of the shoulders and another Ilhan Omar-esque "some people did something" moment.
Trending Across Townhall Media
Armed Neighbor Saves Woman From Knife-Wielding Boyfriend
I don't know that we'll ever learn this armed citizen's name or hear from them directly, but whatever their name, they're a real-life superhero as far as I'm concerned.
Is Anybody Shocked That Biden's DOJ Pressured FBI to Search Trump's Residence?
I seem to recall that Garland bent over backwards to claim that nothing remotely like this ever happened, and got all uppity when it was suggested that, in fact, the Justice Department was interfering in the investigation.
Wait, Nancy Pelosi Just Said WHAT?
When it was expedient to impeach Trump by constitutional methods, she did so. When it was expedient to hold a sham impeachment headed up by her old friend Pat Leahy, she did that, too. When she says now that it isn't expedient to impeach Trump, believe her.
Who Is Mustapha Kourbach? And Why Is Brown University Scrubbing His Entire Existence Off Their Site?
We’ll keep you updated, but it’s quite the coincidence. If it’s unrelated, surely school officials can provide an answer, right?
'Target Karen' Tries to Harass Worker Over Charlie Kirk Shirt; the Response Is PERFECTION
Welp. Be careful what you wish for. Because that's not the only manager who is being spoken to this afternoon.
WHAT'S ON TAP?
Today on Capitol Hill...
There are multiple meetings/hearings set for Wednesday on the Hill, including:
- House Judiciary, Crime and Federal Government Surveillance Subcommittee — “Protecting Consumers and Businesses: Confronting Organized Retail Crime”
- House Homeland Security, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection Subcommittee — “The Quantum, AI, and Cloud Landscape: Examining Opportunities, Vulnerabilities, and the Future of Cybersecurity”
- Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation — An oversight hearing to examine the Federal Communications Commission
- Senate Armed Services — To receive a closed briefing on the September 2, 2025, boat strike on narco-traffickers in the Caribbean
- House Education and Workforce, Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions Subcommittee — "Ensuring Union Leaders Represent Members, Not Agendas”
- House Energy and Commerce, Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee — Examining Biosecurity at the Intersection of AI and Biology
- House Homeland Security — Task Force on Enhancing Security for Special Events in the United States: “A Scourge Against Humanity: Addressing Human Trafficking at Mass Gatherings”
- House Judiciary, Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement Subcommittee — “The Impacts of Temporary Protected Status”
The House is set to vote later today on the GOP healthcare plan (with no amendments extending ACA subsidies). The Senate will vote on the NDAA.
The House is also holding a closed-door deposition of former Special Counsel Jack Smith.
White House What's Up
At 1:15 PM Eastern, President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania will participate in a Dignified Transfer Ceremony at Dover, Delaware. Then, at 9:00 PM Eastern, the president will deliver an address to the Nation from the Diplomatic Reception Room.
Vice President JD Vance had a busy Tuesday, between the speech he delivered in Allentown, Pennsylvania, highlighting the administration's accomplishments on the economy and affordability, and poking fun at Vanity Fair.
READ MORE: JD Vance Delivers Early Christmas Gift to Republicans on Dems' Affordability Game
JD Vance Turns Tables on Reporter's 'Conspiracy Theorist' Gotcha Question in Spectacular Fashion
Keeping Up With the Cabinet
Sec. State - Marco Rubio — Rubio shared President Trump's message on the Venezuela blockade and designation of the Maduro regime as a Foreign Terrorist Organization.
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) December 17, 2025
Full Court Press...
The courts were rather quiet on Tuesday, but I expect we'll have some notable decisions issued in the coming days.
Meanwhile, the trial of Wisconsin Judge Hannah Dugan is underway in Milwaukee. We're continuing to monitor that one and will report on any significant developments.
And Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis (remember her?!) will be testifying today in front of the Georgia Senate.
COMING ATTRACTIONS
On Friday, President Trump will travel to Rocky Mount, North Carolina, where he'll deliver remarks, presumably on the economy and with an eye toward the hotly contested Senate seat ahead of the midterms.
MORNING MUSING
I've recounted my conversion from liberal to conservative here on the pages of RedState before — that was a gradual process. I'm not sure I've ever written about the day I became radicalized. Okay, "radicalized" may be too strong a term (I'm still a squish by some standards), but I certainly experienced a seismic shift in perspective.
It was August 8, 2022. The day the FBI raided the residence of then-former President Trump. I felt it in my bones — something wasn't right. And that wasn't because I was a diehard Trump supporter. I'd voted for him in 2020, and I wished he'd won rather than Biden. But I wasn't sold on him mounting a comeback in 2024 at that point. But everything about how that situation was handled felt wrong. I've never looked at the DOJ or FBI the same since.
And now...we learn this:
READ MORE: Bombshell Emails Reveal FBI Agents Did Not Believe They Had Probable Cause to Raid Mar-a-Lago
Hmm. Imagine that.
LIGHTER FARE
Dogs just know how to do life right, don't they?
This is Millie. She just learned how to sled. Hopes you brought a second land frisbee, because she will not be taking turns. 13/10 pic.twitter.com/klHonuKDEa
— WeRateDogs (@dog_rates) December 16, 2025
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