Monday, February 16, 2026
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
Good for Macinka! He shouldn't have had to do it. But he had to, because she doesn't care how her words might hurt the U.S., as long as she's attacking Trump. The difference between her and someone like the present Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, is striking.
Rubio is right. Our interests in the hemisphere are much more secure, not to mention the interests of those who wish us ill took a severe hit with this move.
Now, Experts Are Warning Revolutionary AI Tools Change Everything
The one constant in the world is change, and whatever AI may be made to do, that's a bit of toothpaste that's not going back in the tube. We'll just have to learn to live with it — and to use it to our advantage.
Trending Across Townhall Media
Bearing Arms — Portland Anti-ICE Activist Illustrates a Fantastic Way to Get Shot
I do not understand why extreme leftists like this think they can threaten others whom they think align with the right when the right is typically made up of those who support the Second Amendment.
HotAir — Is Free Speech Really the Highest Value?
Free speech is one of the most important principles undergirding the American way of life. But we have other worthy principles as well. And our collective lodestar must always remain the pursuit of the common good and the truth.
PJMedia — Lake Michigan Gives Up a 150-Year-Old Secret
The Great Lakes aren't just scenic backdrops; they're vast archives. Each discovery renews respect for those who navigated our inland seas with courage and conviction.
When the water shifts and sonar pings, the past rises again.
Townhall — Keith Olbermann Just Got Wrecked...by a Meteorologist?
He’s just an unserious person. Martz could’ve ignored him, but he decided to respond—he drove over Keith with a tank.
Twitchy — Bad News: The Silence of the Lambs Has Been Canceled
‘Bill’ was motivated by the desire to become a woman and, well, we know that this movie would not be made today. So Levine is here to flog himself publicly for playing a crazy killer.
WHAT’S ON TAP?
Today on Capitol Hill…
No hearings or meetings set for Monday on the Hill. Of course, we're in the midst of another (partial) shutdown, courtesy of the Democrats.
WHITE HOUSE WHAT’S UP
The President’s public schedule for Monday has not yet been released as of Sunday evening. Monday, of course, is Presidents' Day...
KEEPING UP WITH THE CABINET
U.S. Trade Representative — Jamieson Greer
Recent USTR communications have emphasized strengthening U.S. trade leverage and confronting unfair foreign trade practices, with Greer reiterating the administration’s commitment to reshoring key industries and protecting domestic manufacturing. Trade enforcement remains a central theme as negotiations and tariff discussions continue.
FULL COURT PRESS…⚖️
As noted below, I took an unexpected break from the Morning Minute on Friday, so we're playing catch-up here with some recent decisions, none of which went the administration's way.
- ❌ In State of Illinois v. Vought (termination of grants), Judge Manish S. Shah (N.D. Ill.) GRANTS plaintiffs' motion for temporary restraining order.
- ❌ In Lesly Miot v. Trump (termination of TPS designation – Haiti), Judge Ana Reyes (D.C.) grants motion to postpone termination of designation (orally; opinion to follow).
- ❌ In Jones v. Trump (housing of TG inmates), Judge Royce Lamberth (D.C.) enters order extending previously issued preliminary injunction.
- ❌ In African Communities Together v. Noem (TPS – South Sudan), Judge Patti Saris (Massachusetts) GRANTS plaintiffs' motion to postpone termination of TPS designation.
- ❌ In Kelly v. Hegseth (First Amendment / Speech-Debate Clause “Seditious Six”), Judge Richard Leon (D.C.) GRANTS plaintiff's motion for preliminary injunction in part.
- ❌ In J.G.G. v. Trump (AEA removal), Judge James Boasberg (D.C.) issues order compelling administration to facilitate return of TdA members removed to El Salvador.
COMING ATTRACTIONS
Supreme Court oral arguments resume February 23.
Senate consideration of DHS funding remains pending (but...I wouldn't recommend holding your breath over it).
MORNING MUSING
I like to give readers a heads up on the rare occasion when I don't plan on publishing a Morning Minute on a weekday, so I apologize for the miss on Friday — had an unexpected health emergency come up involving a family member, so I needed to attend to that. This week, I'm traveling to the Swampy Swamp (wish me luck!), but my plan is to continue with the regularly scheduled Morning Minutes. 🤞🏻 I've got an early morning bug-out time, so keeping this one brief.
LIGHTER FARE
Cozy!
If it fits, I sits..🐈🐾😅 pic.twitter.com/Q2ri40hnTF
— 𝕐o̴g̴ (@Yoda4ever) February 16, 2026
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