Morning Minute: The AP Did the Meme!

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Monday, November 17, 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. 

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TOP O' THE MORNIN'

Red-Hot at RedState 

PBS Claims Military Officers Are Lawyering Up Over Trump's Orders but What's Really Happening?

PBS doesn't deserve our tax money, and thanks to President Trump, they are no longer getting it.

Changes Push Millions Off SNAP Even As USDA Secretary Rollins Looks to Bigger Cuts

Americans are generous, but they aren't stupid. 

Trump Calls Democrats' Bluff, Demands Republicans Release the Epstein Files

And now, they've insisted upon the release of the Epstein files, something they easily could have done while controlling both the House and the Senate in Biden's first two years as president. They may well get their wish, with the House expected to vote on the matter this week.

Will they end up regretting it?

Trending Across Townhall Media

West Virginia Delegate Offers 'Vexit' Strategy for Rural Virginians

Some of these counties are already losing population, and when Democrats in Richmond try to turn the state into East California, I won't be surprised if some folks beyond the Blue Ridge decide to move to their neighboring county across the West Virginia border.

UK Public Health Agency Won't Release COVID Vaccine Data Because It Could Cause 'Distress'

The Narrative™. Is there nothing it can't excuse?

Kash Patel Drops Covid Origin Bombshell

This latest allegation isn’t just another chapter in the COVID saga. It’s further proof that the federal bureaucracy worked aggressively to twist intelligence, hide the truth, and undermine President Trump. 

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Time to Purge the GOP Backstabbers, Sissies, and Narcissists

For too long, we Republicans have failed to hold our politicians accountable. You can’t go on the offensive if you don’t have security in your own rear area. Well, we don’t at the moment.

Ezra Klein: NYT’s 'Columnist' Turned Democrat Shadow Puppetmaster—The Rest of the Press Finally Notices

Ostensibly, he should be a unbiased mediator of the news. Instead, he's apparently become a 'power broker' in the Democratic Party. That seems problematic. 

WHAT'S ON TAP?

Today on Capitol Hill...

The critters are back, and it looks to be a busy week on the Hill. On Monday, there are two meetings/hearings set: 

  • House Rules — S.J. Res. 80 – Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to ‘‘National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska Integrated Activity Plan Record of Decision’’.; H.J. Res. 130 – Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to ‘‘Buffalo Field Office Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan Amendment’’.; H.J. Res. 131 – Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to ‘‘Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program Record of Decision’’.; H.R. 1949 – Unlocking our Domestic LNG Potential Act of 2025; H.R. 3109 – REFINER Act; H. Con. Res. 58 – Denouncing the horrors of socialism.; H.R. 5214 – District of Columbia Cash Bail Reform Act of 2025; H.R. 5107 – Common-Sense Law Enforcement and Accountability Now in DC Act of 2025
  • Joint Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (U.S. Helsinki Commission) — Hearings to examine deterrence on NATO's Eastern flank

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    White House What's Up

    On Monday afternoon, President Trump meets with the White House Task Force on the FIFA World Cup 2026 in the Oval Office. In the evening, he'll deliver remarks at the McDonald's Impact Summit.

    Keeping Up With the Cabinet

    Sec. Treasury - Scott Bessent — Bessent joined Maria Bartiromo on Sunday Morning Futures to highlight the administration's efforts to address inflation and affordability. 

    READ MORE: Team Trump Signals an Economic Rebound

    Full Court Press...

    We got some interesting rulings on Friday:

  • ❌ Jorge Lujan v. FMSCA (FMSCA Rule re: CDLs for foreign nationals) — D.C. Circuit GRANTS petitioner's motion for stay of rule pending appeal.
  • ✅ J.G.G. v. Trump (TdA AEA removals) — D.C. Circuit DENIES petitioners' request for rehearing en banc.  (But see: Ship's take.)
  • ❌ American Association of University Professors v. Trump (termination of grants) — Judge Rita Lin (Northern District of California) GRANTS plaintiffs' motion for preliminary injunction.

    • Also, the administration withdrew its application for stay in the SNAP benefits case from the Supreme Court in light of the Schumer Shutdown ending, rendering the issue largely moot. 

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    COMING ATTRACTIONS

    First Lady Melania Trump and Second Lady Usha Vance will travel to Camp LeJeune, North Carolina, on Wednesday, to spend time with military members and their families.

    MORNING MUSING

    I was the Sunday editor here at RedState and, as such, was charged with covering some of the news-y events from over the weekend, including protests in Mexico City that turned violent on Saturday. As we reported, 120 people were injured — including 100 police officers — there were multiple arrests, and the crowd attempted to tear down the security wall at the National Palace. 

    Our former Townhall colleague, Julio Rosas, was on the ground reporting for his "Mostly Peaceful Media." Rosas, of course, is also the author of the book "Fiery But Mostly Peaceful." Obviously, Rosas' branding is a wink at the penchant of the legacy media for downplaying certain protests that escalate into violence and destruction. 

    But the AP really outdid itself with its reporting on the situation. While noting the number of injuries and arrests, the article actually states, right there in the second paragraph: 

    The demonstration was mostly peaceful but ended with some young people clashing with the police.

    They did the meme. They actually did the meme!

    LIGHTER FARE 

    As someone who may or may not have shampooed and lotioned the cat as a toddler....I couldn't pass this one up.

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