Morning Minute: If It Looks Like a Duck...

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Monday, June 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. 

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TOP O' THE MORNIN'

Red-Hot at RedState 

Platner's Response to Fetterman's Challenge for Him to Release Texts Raises More Eyebrows

Maybe when you had such a tattoo, you didn't want to be attacking American Jewish people? I mean, just a thought, of course. That raised a lot of eyebrows. Notice what you don't see in that response? He doesn't agree to release the texts.

The GOP’s House ‘Strategery’ Was Excellent and Has Kept Them Competitive

I continue to think we are back in “coin flip” territory for control of the House, with the Democrats having a very marginal edge overall. And the final House result will heavily depend on what happens in the individual campaigns of some of the more competitive districts. 

THE ESSEX FILES: The New Battle for the West - Pete Hegseth Brings Uncomfortable Truths to Normandy

Nations that cannot control who enters their territory lose the ability to define and defend their own character. 

Trending Across Townhall Media

Bearing Arms — Minnesota Fudd Goes A-Hunting for the 'Real' Meaning of the Second Amendment

Peterson wants readers to know that he's not opposed to gun ownership. He's not out to take your guns. Oh no, he's a gun owner himself... just one who's in favor of a few "common sense" restrictions.

HotAir — Convicted Burglar and Ex-Senator Ponders Second Act

F. Scott Fitzgerald once said, "Americans love Second Acts".  Fitzgerald lived in Saint Paul for a while - and if he were living in Minnesota today, he'd likely add "...for Democrats".  

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PJ Media — Trump Storms Out of 'Meet the Press' Interview

Welker tried to redirect the conversation toward acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, but Trump wasn't having it. Every time she jumped in, he pushed through it. He insisted the evidence of problems with election integrity runs deep: "You have more evidence, there's more evidence than ever presented."

Townhall — Why Are Male-Identifying Democrat Candidates All Creepy Weirdos

See, us white males are making them mad because we won’t do what they want us to do. We refuse to obey yet again. That’s how this whole thing started. 

Twitchy — Barn Burner: Trump Abandons Kristen Welker Grilling As She Cries ‘We Travelled All the Way to Wisconsin!’

That legacy media adoration has never stopped, nor will it ever. We know undying love when we see it.

WHAT'S ON TAP?

Today on Capitol Hill...

The critters are back at it on Monday, with several hearings/meetings set, including:

  • Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry — Business meeting to consider the nomination of Glen Smith, of Iowa, to be Under Secretary of Agriculture for Rural Development.
  • Senate Armed Services, Strategic Forces Subcommittee — Closed business meeting to markup the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2027.
  • Senate Armed Services, Seapower Subcommittee — Closed business meeting to markup the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2027.
  • Senate Armed Services, Readiness and Management Support Subcommittee — Closed business meeting to markup the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2027.

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    On Tuesday, the House Judiciary Committee will be taking another close look at the Southern Poverty Law Center, with SPLC Interim President and CEO Bryan Fair set to testify.

    White House What's Up

    President Trump’s Monday schedule includes some work...and some play:

  • 8:00 AM — THE PRESIDENT participates in Executive Time — Bedminster, New Jersey
  • 5:30 PM — THE PRESIDENT participates in a Tele-Rally — Bedminster, New Jersey
  • 5:30 PM — THE PRESIDENT departs Bedminster, New Jersey en route to New York, New York — Bedminster, New Jersey
  • 8:30 PM — THE PRESIDENT attends the NBA Finals — Madison Square Garden
  • 8:30 PM — THE PRESIDENT departs New York, New York en route to The White House — New York, New York

    • Keeping Up With the Cabinet

    Admin. Small Business Administration - Kelly Loeffler — Loeffler continues to highlight the SBA's efforts to support American small businesses on multiple fronts. 

    Full Court Press...

    We've had a couple of notable court decisions from the past few days: 

  • ❌ In Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island v. USCIS (asylum policies), Judge John McConnell Jr. (Rhode Island) partially grants/partially denies plaintiffs' motion for summary judgment and admin's cross-motion for summary judgment. 
  • ❌ In Doe v. McHenry (housing of transgender inmates), Judge Royce Lamberth (D.C.) GRANTS plaintiffs' motion for preliminary injunction.

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    The Supreme Court is likely to have at least one opinion day this week. 

    COMING ATTRACTIONS

    President Trump is heading to Wisconsin for a roundtable discussion on Friday. He's set to attend the G7 Summit in Évian-Les-Bains, France, in mid-June.

    Before that, however, he'll be celebrating his 80th birthday (on June 14), complete with a UFC match on the White House lawn...unless a judge steps in to block it...

    The annual Congressional Baseball Game is set for Wednesday night at Nationals Park.

    MORNING MUSING

    There's an old saying: "Perception is reality," and there might be no place that's a more apt description than when it comes to politics. The way that California has janked up its election process, even when things are handled "legally," they leave the distinct impression that something is terribly amiss. 

    So, let's assume, for argument's sake, that each and every vote counted in California following last week's primary — and, in particular, in the L.A. mayoral race — was legit and counted properly. We're still left with the seemingly improbable late gains of L.A. City Councilmember Nithya Raman, five days post-election, resulting in her overtaking Spencer Pratt for the No. 2 spot and setting her up for the runoff against incumbent Mayor Karen Bass. 

    It looks bad. It looks wrong. It looks like something's rotten in the State of California. So how is that supposed to inspire voters' confidence in the integrity of the electoral process? Spoiler alert: It doesn't. It won't. It can't. It breeds suspicion. It breeds contempt. It breeds failure. 

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    It looks beyond janky. 

    Speaking of old sayings, maybe it isn't a duck. But if it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, quacks like a duck...you'd best be on the lookout for duck poop. 

    LIGHTER FARE 

    This little piggy...

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