Wednesday, July 8, 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
'They're Scum'—Furious Trump Explodes, Declares Iran Ceasefire Over
These incidents have made the shaky nature of any deal with the mullahs crystal clear. With the regime once again proving it cannot be trusted, President Trump appears ready to abandon negotiations entirely in favor of decisive American military strength.
LA SNAP Raid Exposes the Welfare Mess Newsom Doesn’t Want to Own
The Los Angeles raid leaves California with the largest SNAP program in the country, dozens of retailer violations in one city, and a Skid Row store accused of turning food-stamp benefits into cash.
Just because they can't always back up their violent rhetoric doesn’t mean we shouldn’t take them seriously — the Islamic Republic is a dangerous foe that is a threat to peace and decency in the civilized world — but it’s also true that their mouths often spout off about checks that their accounts can’t cash.
Trending Across Townhall Media
Bearing Arms — How Virginia's Attempted Assault Weapon Ban Blew Up in Anti-Gunners' Faces
There are now more AR-15s and similar rifles in Virginia than there were before she and her cronies tried to ban them. This is the natural response to attempted tyranny. If the state doesn't want you to have something, you'd best figure out the real reason why, and it's rarely what they're claiming it's about.
HotAir — JK Rowling's Rebuttal Here Makes a Key Point
So many people knew that this was evil. But they were afraid to appear "mean." They didn't want to face the social opprobrium, so they turned on the people who were doing their best to affirm reality and save children.
The Democrats aren’t anti-Nazi! They were perfectly comfortable with an Israel-hating, Zionist-despising Senate candidate with a Nazi tattoo! And they certainly don’t “believe all women.”
They’re simply anti-Republican — and they’ll say and do ANYTHING to regain political power, because that’s all they really care about.
Townhall — About That Black Woman Photographed With a Bunch of Supposed White Nationalists in DC...
Dear members of the media, no one cares or fears the Patriotic Front, a supposed white nationalist group, which many online have mocked as an FBI stunt.
The second part of Ro's rough month is that ICE continues to enforce federal immigration laws, much to the chagrin of Dems like Khanna. The Left's most cherished political demographic -- criminal illegals -- continue to be taken off the streets.
WHAT'S ON TAP?
Today on Capitol Hill...
The critters remain out for a District Work Week. They'll be back at it in the Swamp on Monday, and who knows what kind of mischief they'll get up to?
We did get some confirmation from GOP leadership and Scott Jennings that they've spoken with Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and he is engaged and continuing to recuperate.
SEE: The Rumors on Mitch McConnell's Condition Have Been Greatly Exaggerated
White House What's Up
President Trump, of course, is wrapping up his time at the NATO Summit in Turkey. Here's what his Wednesday looks like:
- 8:00 AM — THE PRESIDENT participates in Executive Time — Ankara, Turkey
- 10:30 AM — THE PRESIDENT participates in a Greeting with the Secretary General of NATO — Bestepe Presidential Compound
- 10:50 AM — THE PRESIDENT participates in an Official Welcome and NATO Family Photo — Bestepe Presidential Compound
- 11:15 AM — THE PRESIDENT participates in a NATO Leaders' Working Session — Bestepe Presidential Compound
- 2:30 PM — THE PRESIDENT participates in a Bilateral Meeting with the President of Ukraine — Bestepe Presidential Compound
- 3:30 PM — THE PRESIDENT participates in a Bilateral Meeting with the President of the Syrian Arab Republic — Bestepe Presidential Compound
- 4:15 PM — THE PRESIDENT participates in a Press Conference — Bestepe Presidential Compound
- 4:15 PM — THE PRESIDENT departs Ankara, Turkey en route the White House — Ankara, Turkey
- 4:15 PM — THE PRESIDENT arrives at The White House — The White House
(No — he's not teleporting home! That's just how whoever puts out his official schedule stacks his travel time.)
Keeping Up With the Cabinet
Dir. Central Intelligence Agency - John Ratcliffe — Ratcliffe recently noted the role intelligence played even back in the era of the nation's founding, though his agency has only officially been around for 80 years.
CIA’s role in America’s story began in 1947, but our legacy goes back to the era of our Founders. As their successors in the American story, CIA pursues our mission with unwavering resolve to safeguard the Nation while advancing our country’s founding ideals into the future. https://t.co/4LklTwhaHG
— John Ratcliffe (@DCIARatcliffe) July 4, 2026
Full Court Press...
We had a few notable decisions from the lower courts on Tuesday, including:
- ❌ In State of California v. Trump (mail-in ballots), Judge Indira Talwani (Massachusetts) DENIES admin's motion for stay pending appeal.
There was also this interesting wrinkle:
Dueling Decisions: DHS Stuck Between Opposing District Court Orders
COMING ATTRACTIONS
Obviously, we'll need to keep an eye on Iran as the ceasefire seems to have...ceased.
As noted, Congress will be back in session next week, and they've got their work cut out for them.
Oh — and Justices Elena Kagan and Amy Coney Barrett are slated to testify before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government and the Senate Appropriations Committee next week.
MORNING MUSING
My fellow Gen-Xers might see the headline and recall the English new wave band "Flock of Seagulls." They were big for a hot minute or three in the 80s. The hair was iconic, of course.
— Susie Moore ⚾️🌻🐶 (@SmoosieQ) July 8, 2026
Actually got to meet them once, ca. 1989 or 1990, when they played a small nightclub here in St. Louis.
Anyway, their biggest hit, "I Ran," is top of mind this morning as it seems we're back to "War-On!" with those jerks.
That reminds me — need to fill up my gas tank when I leave the station today.
LIGHTER FARE
This pup's too pretty not to share.
Everyone listen up! We have a new employee.
— US Department of the Interior (@Interior) July 7, 2026
Meet Blue, @GrandCanyonNPS’s new conservation K-9. Her job? Convincing elk and desert bighorn sheep to leave developed areas and return to natural habitat, helping reduce wildlife conflicts and keeping both visitors and wildlife safe. pic.twitter.com/tZfcCVw9My
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