Monday, April 13, 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
Eric Swalwell Continues to Crash and Burn As Billionaire Boots Him From Mansion He Was Hiding In
There are many salacious videos of Swalwell’s alleged sexual exploits circulating on social media Sunday night, and it cannot be immediately confirmed whether all of them are legitimate. That being said, it would appear his political career has seen a sudden and utterly brutal demise, and that even his “friends” are jumping ship.
CENTCOM Starts the Iranian Blockade Monday - Here Are the Rules and What to Look For
The Navy will enforce a blockade of Iranian ports in the "Arabian Gulf" and the Gulf of Oman starting at 10 a.m. Monday. Be aware that the U.S. Navy made the change of nomenclature, much as President Trump renamed the Gulf of Mexico, in 2010; however, it still chaps Iranian asses when they see it.
Iran Sounds Like It's Scrambling to Save Face in Response to Trump's Action in the Strait
"I told my people, I want everything. I don't want 90%, I don't want 95%. I told them, I want everything. They have no cards," Trump told Sunday Morning Futures' Maria Bartiromo.
Trending Across Townhall Media
Bearing Arms — Kentucky Columnist Pens Hysterical Take on Bill Expanding Right to Carry
Gerth finds it "hard to believe that too many people beyond gun-industry lobbyists and a small band of 'liberty' Republicans are really itching for this legislation." If that's the case then he should have nothing to worry about, because few 18-to-20-year-olds will avail themselves of their newfound ability to get a concealed carry license.
The reality is not just that the Democratic Party is captured by its leftist wing; Tom Friedman is one of the left's top pundits, not a politician, and he is applauding the "destroy America to save America" path.
PJ Media — Maryland’s Wes Moore Gets the Spotlight Treatment, and He’s None Too Happy About It
This also reinforces that Democrat candidates are paper tigers. Once you shed any light on them for any length of time, their “imperfections” become impossible to ignore and cover up. Brew a pot of coffee. Between Swalwell and Moore, and who knows who else, the Democrats promise to give us more than our share of intrigue in the coming weeks.
Townhall — This Dem’s Claim About Gas Prices Got Eviscerated With This Tweet
The Democrats are dying to make a cost-of-living argument against President Trump, though we suffered more under Joe Biden’s ineptitude and lack of care, but you knew this was going to happen. The price of gas has spiked, but the average is still lower than anything seen during the Biden Error.
So, Swalwell's deeply sorry for his mistakes in judgment but the allegations are false? Interesting.
WHAT'S ON TAP?
Today on Capitol Hill...
They're baaaack! Yes, yes — the critters are back in the Swamp, and you can bet this week will be...busy. Monday only has one hearing (but there are plenty more set for the rest of the week):
- Joint Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (U.S. Helsinki Commission) — To receive a briefing on Vatican diplomacy in an age of estrangement, power politics, and war. [Timely, no?]
Of course, there's still the matter of DHS funding. Oh, and the SAVE America Act. Oh, and now...the dreaded Dignity/DIGNIDAD Act.
Buckle up, folks.
White House What's Up
It's Monday, and President Trump is busy as always...
- 8:00 AM — THE PRESIDENT participates in Executive Time — The White House
- 2:00 PM — THE PRESIDENT participates in Signing Time — Oval Office
- 4:00 PM — THE PRESIDENT participates in a Policy Meeting — Oval Office
- 7:00 PM — THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY participate in a Greeting with the King and Queen of the Kingdom of the Netherlands — The White House
- 7:45 PM — THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY participate in a Dinner with the King and Queen of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Keeping Up With the Cabinet
Dir. Office of Management and Budget - Russ Vought — Vought is set to testify on Capitol Hill on Wednesday (Tax Day!)
Full Court Press...
It was a somewhat quiet weekend for the courts, but we did have one decision of note:
- ↔️ In National Trust for Historic Preservation in the U.S. v. National Park Service (construction of WH ballroom), D.C. Circuit EXTENDS administrative stay and remands case to district court for clarification.
Also, the Skinny on SCOTUS for the first four of March's eight decisions is out.
READ MORE: New Twist: DC Circuit Kicks White House Ballroom Case Back to Lower Court Over Security Questions
Skinny on SCOTUS: A Pretzel-Knot Split and Three Unanimous Calls - the Early March Decisions
COMING ATTRACTIONS
Speaking of SCOTUS, they'll be back at it next Monday, hearing oral arguments in some of the remaining cases on the 2025 Term's docket.
MORNING MUSING
I suppose the headline I'm going with today is rhetorical. Because...apparently, for a not insignificant number of politicians, the answer is: Yes.
Even when they know their behavior will be scrutinized. Even when they know there are smartphones and surveillance cameras pretty much everywhere.
So...I have a message for politicians (or...really...anyone): Don't be like Eric.
I just feel like shirts should be mandatory on all politicians. https://t.co/LzZaTh0XGY
— Susie Moore ⚾️🌻🐶 (@SmoosieQ) April 13, 2026
LIGHTER FARE
Utterly relatable.
Mood..🐕🐾😅 pic.twitter.com/jVXOYr8hJD
— 𝕐o̴g̴ (@Yoda4ever) April 12, 2026
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