Thursday, February 6, 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
Extreme EDS: Congresswomen Crash Meeting of Speaker Johnson and Treasury Sec. Bessent…Because DOGE!
Despite their rudeness and the stunning lack of protocol, Johnson graciously begged them off, saying that the House Ways and Means Committee would get a chance for oversight, perhaps in the next week.
WILD: CNN Analyst Launches Into Tirade About DEI, Accuses CNN of Racial Discrimination
Returning to CNN, maybe Allison’s producers should have a word with her about not accusing the people who sign her checks of malicious racial discrimination.
After More Than 3 Years, Another Biden Lawfare Scheme Has Been Dismantled
According to journalist Liz Wheeler, devices and other property seized by O’Keefe, Meads, and Cochran will all be returned, but knowing that the contents have no doubt been completely analyzed and copied, that’s small comfort.
Trending Across Townhall Media
GOA Has Concerns About Bondi
But I do think it’s important that the White House maintain some degree of observation over what Bondi does and doesn’t do regarding gun rights in this country.
USAID Is a Trap For Democrats
On this issue, as with many others, Democrats are cooked.
The USAID Scandal Is Getting Worse by the Minute
I relish competing in a free marketplace, particularly the marketplace of ideas. This is America, after all, and I’m a capitalist, and so is my employer.
Wait, USAID Was Involved in Donald Trump’s Impeachment?
For now, the gravy train is over, but given how they were able to hide what is arguably a covert piece of state-run media that targeted a president, what else is buried in these file grants? DOGE will find out.
Holy CORRUPTION, Batman! Michael Shellenberger Drops Major BOMBSHELL About USAID’s Work to IMPEACH Trump
Time for accountability.
WHAT’S ON TAP?
Today on Capitol Hill…
The Senate Finance Committee will vote on the nomination of Jamieson Greer as U.S. Trade Representative (10:00 AM), and the Judiciary Committee will “consider” the nomination of Kash Patel as FBI Director (10:15 AM). Initially, it seemed as though that consideration would also include a vote, but it turns out there’s a little-known procedural twist that could delay the actual committee vote for as much as a week.
There will be a Senate floor vote Thursday evening on Russ Vought’s nomination as OMB Director — the Democrats have been using up their full 30 hours on that one to howl about their sincere and strenuous objection to it.
Great. See you on the floor at 7pm tomorrow when we inevitably confirm @russvought for OMB Director. https://t.co/d5Qeakvphr
— Markwayne Mullin (@SenMullin) February 6, 2025
Other Thursday hearings/meetings include:
- House Natural Resources, Energy and Mineral Resources Subcommittee — Oversight Hearing on “Now Ore Never: The Importance of Domestic Mining for U.S. National Security”
- House Transportation and Infrastructure, Aviation Subcommittee — “Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems”
- House Energy and Commerce, Health Subcommittee — Combatting Existing and Emerging Illicit Drug Threats
- House Judiciary, Administrative State, Regulatory Reform, and Antitrust Subcommittee — “California Fires and the Consequences of Overregulation”
- House Veterans’ Affairs, Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee — VA First, Veteran Second: The Biden-Harris Legacy
- House Financial Services, Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee — Operation Choke Point 2.0: The Biden Administration’s Efforts to Put Crypto in the Crosshairs
- House Ways and Means, Work and Welfare Subcommittee — Time’s Running Out: Prosecuting Fraudsters for Stealing Billions in Unemployment Benefits from American Workers
- House Oversight and Government Reform, Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Government Innovation Subcommittee — “Transgender Lab Rats and Poisoned Puppies: Oversight of Taxpayer Funded Animal Cruelty”
White House What’s Up
‘Twas a big day for President Donald Trump on Wednesday (but aren’t they all?), as he met with Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) and California Governor Gavin Newsom (D), and in between signed a landmark executive order banning biological males from women’s and girls’ sports.
He’s kicking off Thursday by delivering remarks first at the National Prayer Breakfast at the Capitol and then at the National Prayer Breakfast at the Washington Hilton. Late morning, he’ll be meeting with Republican members of Congress on the budget resolution issue. In the afternoon, he’ll sign additional executive orders.
Keeping Up With the Cabinet
(As promised, the newest section of our daily overview — can already tell this is going to be a challenge to keep up with):
Department of Defense/Sec. Pete Hegseth:
- Hegseth welcomed Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu to the Pentagon.
- He’s also announced solid improvement on the recruitment front.
Department of Homeland Security/Sec. Kristi Noem:
It’s not just the Chiefs and Eagles preparing for the big game—DHS is working alongside the NFL and our federal, state, and local partners to ensure a safe and secure Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans. From planning to game day, we’re on defense so you can enjoy the game.
Department of Justice/AG Pam Bondi:
- Bondi was sworn in Wednesday morning.
- By afternoon, she was issuing First Day directives, including restoring the federal death penalty and cutting off federal funding for sanctuary cities, and for the non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that facilitate illegal immigration.
Department of State/Sec. Marco Rubio:
- Rubio continued his trek through Central America, with visits in El Salvador and Costa Rica.
- The department also announced that U.S. government vessels can now traverse the Panama Canal without charge fees.
Department of Transportation/Sec. Sean Duffy:
Big News – Talked to the DOGE team. They are going to plug in to help upgrade our aviation system.
- Duffy also went toe-to-toe with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton over the DOGE team.
Department of Veterans’ Affairs/Sec. Doug Collins:
Full Court Press…
The Treasury Department was in court doing battle Wednesday over DOGE as several federal employee unions challenge the organization’s authority to proceed with its review of payment systems and such. The latest in that one is that the parties have filed a consent order, jointly agreeing to limit who has access to the records — namely, the special government employees already designated for the task — and confirm they have read-only access to them.
COMING ATTRACTIONS
Trump will return to Mar-a-Lago on Friday. On Sunday, he plans to attend the Super Bowl in New Orleans, which would mark the first time a sitting president has attended the event.
The House has a couple of organizational meetings set for Friday.
MORNING MUSING
I don’t have much more to add beyond this: Watching this signing ceremony yesterday really touched my heart. It shouldn’t have had to come to this, but it’s good to have some clarity on this issue.
BREAKING: President Donald J. Trump signs an executive order keeping men OUT of women’s sports.
Promises made, promises kept. pic.twitter.com/rDfC2qmiu4
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) February 5, 2025
LIGHTER FARE
D’awwww…..
He looks so happy 🥹😻 pic.twitter.com/zHueEjt1hu
— Antidepressant Content (@depressionlesss) February 5, 2025
