Thursday, July 30, 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
Trump Has Incredible Response to Fauci's Testimony
“The only thing I know that he signed was Hunter Biden’s pardon, but I’m not sure that he signed— he probably didn’t sign this one," Trump added. "So, I can’t tell you what the law is. I’ve heard that you have to have a lot of proof, you need to have letters, you need to have all sorts of things that the person operating the auto pen has to know exactly what it’s all about. He didn’t know what it was about,” Trump said.
‘Truly Embarrassing’: Sophie Cunningham Rips Seattle Storm Co-Owner for Berating Teen Girls
Let's hope there are more fans out there brave enough to support Cunningham and thank her for protecting women and girls. The WNBA could use a little reminder of what the 'W' stands for.
Freddy Has an Announcement That You May Enjoy
He said while they were going to have a road trip with college football as the main focus, they wanted to check out other sports and "unique American events."
Trending Across Townhall Media
Bearing Arms — Chicago Mayor Imposes New Rules on City's Purchase of Guns and Ammunition
I don't have to see the text of Johnson's latest executive order to know that it's nothing more than pandering to the gun control lobby, not a serious attempt to reduce violent crime in Chicago. Johnson's public safety strategy is a joke, or at least it would be if it didn't seriously threaten the exercise of our Second Amendment rights and make the city a more dangerous place at the same time.
HotAir — The Iranian Regime Is on a Path to Ultimate Extinction
I'm fine with the regime being on the path to ultimate extinction. I just wish we were forcing them to use a higher gear. As the late Michael Ledeen always said at the end of his columns, "Faster, please."
PJ Media — Florida Announces Investigation Into Fauci Since His Pardon Isn't for State Charges
This announcement is potentially game-changing because if Uthmeier does end up uncovering evidence leading to charges against Fauci, the Biden pardon would not protect Fauci.
Townhall — That Time Fauci Said He's Happy to Testify Before Congress Because He Has Nothing to Hide
It’s quite a turnaround for a man who loved being in front of the camera and never missed a chance to boost his ego.
It blows our minds that the city is actually assisting in the creation of this so-called "autonomous zone."
WHAT'S ON TAP?
Today on Capitol Hill...
There's another handful of hearings Thursday on the Hill, including:
- Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Telecommunications and Media Subcommittee — Hearings to examine intelligent networks, focusing on powering artificial intelligence and transforming communications.
- Senate Finance — Business meeting to consider an original bill entitled, "Taxpayer Assistance and Service Act".
Senate Foreign Relations — Hearings to examine the nominations of Sarah B. Rogers, of New York, to be Chief Executive Officer of the United States Agency for Global Media, Rebekah Jurata, of California, to be United States Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund, and Jennifer Johnson-Carroll, of Florida, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Department of State. - Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (U.S. Helsinki Commission) — To receive a briefing on Russia's exploitation and engagement in Africa.
None of those are likely to be quite as lively as the Anthony Fauci hearing on Wednesday was — and the saga isn't over, as Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) has vowed to hold a vote next week to hold Fauci in contempt of Congress.
Meanwhile, the Sour Grapes Caucus™️ is finding a way to muck things up:
Lame-Duck Cornyn and Tillis Stall Todd Blanche Over a 'Drafting Exercise'
White House What's Up
Here's what President Trump has on tap for Thursday:
- 8:00 AM — THE PRESIDENT participates in Executive Time — The White House
- 10:30 AM — THE PRESIDENT greets the White House Internship Program Summer Class — East Room
- 12:00 PM — THE PRESIDENT participates in a Policy Meeting — Oval Office
- 1:30 PM — THE PRESIDENT makes an Announcement on Freedom Haulers — The White House
- 3:00 PM — THE PRESIDENT participates in Signing Time — Oval Office
- 4:30 PM — THE PRESIDENT participates in a Policy Meeting — Oval Office
Keeping Up With the Cabinet
Sec. Housing & Urban Development - Scott Turner — Turner is tackling fraud and corruption involving HUD funds.
In Los Angeles, LAHSA spent your taxpayer dollars on luxury cars, private jets, and a vacation home.
— Scott Turner (@SecretaryTurner) July 24, 2026
In the Virgin Islands, officials pocketed funds meant for disaster recovery.
Under the Trump Administration, corruption of HUD funds will not stand. pic.twitter.com/cIBKH70YcO
Full Court Press...
We had a couple more notable court decisions on Wednesday:
- ✅ In African Communities Together v. Noem (TPS status - South Sudan), 1st Circuit Court of Appeals REVERSES district court's order delaying DHS's termination of TPS (holding that SCOTUS' recent decision in Mullin v. Doe forecloses the plaintiffs' statutory claims) and remands for further proceedings.
- ✅ In Doe v. OPM (Government-Wide Email System/privacy), Judge Randolph Moss (D.C.) DENIES plaintiffs' motion for reconsideration of his order dismissing case for lack of standing.
COMING ATTRACTIONS
That contempt vote next week that Rand Paul has promised is something to keep an eye on — as is the Senate Judiciary Committee's waffling over Todd Blanche's nomination for Attorney General.
And we may soon see a ruling from SCOTUS on the administration's application for stay on those lower court decisions holding up President Trump's election integrity executive order.
MORNING MUSING
At the risk of sounding like a woke snowflake, I have to tell you, I'm triggered. I don't like revisiting the dark, ugly days of COVID. That was a bad time in so many ways, for the world in general, for the U.S., and on a personal level. Brings back a lot of painful memories.
But I realize it's important to revisit what was done — the mistakes that were made and the abuses that were perpetrated. Anthony Fauci wasn't the lone bad actor — not by a long shot. But he was a key figure in that darkness. I'm sanguine he'll be held to account in the here and now. I'm confident he'll be held to account in the hereafter.
LIGHTER FARE
Moose need no reasons...
you’re probably wondering why i chased these skiers. the truth is, there wasn’t any particular reason. i do what i want. pic.twitter.com/UfBQV89lHA
— moose (@mooseincrisis) July 30, 2026
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