Morning Minute: Can I Buy You a Coke?

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Monday, June 15, 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 

Commie Mayor Cashes In: Mamdani’s Free Luxury World Cup Ride Exposed

Mamdani is the quintessential champagne socialist: he talks like a revolutionary but lives like the elite he claims to despise.

The White House UFC Event Was Loud, Patriotic, and Everything the Left Despises

It was a barnburner, celebrating America. 

Hillary Clinton's Tantrum Over the UFC Fight Gets the Proper Backlash It Deserves

She needs to take all the seats with her comment. 

Trending Across Townhall Media

Bearing Arms — Potential Mass Shooting in Georgia Stopped by Armed Citizens

The fact that armed citizens were able to stop this attack before anybody but the shooter was injured or killed doesn't make this any less compelling of a story as far as I'm concerned, but the anti-gun media seems to go out of its way to avoid any mention of defensive gun uses if it can get away with it.

HotAir — Tulsi Gabbard: Yes, There Were US-Funded Biolabs in Ukraine

Bureaucrats have a bad habit of deciding they know best about everything because they are the experts. "Trust us," they say, despite their being among the least trustworthy people on planet Earth. 

PJ Media — A New Study Just Confirmed the Left's Worst-Kept Secret

Gee, who would have guessed that the same political movement that spent years turning gender into a political identity is now running the same play with mental illness?

Townhall — Well, This Moment at the UFC Freedom 250 Event Is Going to Cause Libs to Melt Down

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This has been a social media conspiracy for years, with some people explaining it in detail. We don’t get involved, but sorry, it’s funny. 

Twitchy — Weather Channel Falls FLAT on Its Trump-Hating FACE After Pushing APOCALYPTIC UFC Freedom 250 Forecast

Almost as if God is a UFC fan.

And an America fan.

Who knew?

WHAT'S ON TAP?

Today on Capitol Hill...

The critters have no meetings or hearings set for Monday, but this is going to be a busy week on the Hill. Here's a sneak peek at some of the wrangling they're going to need to sort out: 

The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The SAVE America Act And FISA Renewal

There was a thought late Thursday and Friday that the Congressional lapse of FISA Section 702 - the nation’s most important counter terrorism program - may be short-lived. 

President Trump had just nominated Jay Clayton for Director of National Intelligence. His confirmation hearing would be Wednesday. A quick confirmation on the floor a few days after would limit the time Bill Pulte spends as acting DNI following the departure of Tulsi Gabbard. 

Democrats yanked their support for a fragile, bipartisan compromise on FISA after the President announced he intended to install Pulte. But the Clayton nomination - while not optimal for some Democrats - could mitigate their protest over FISA. 

Then the President changed the calculus again by demanding that Congressional Republican attach the SAVE America Act - requiring proof of citizenship before voting - to the FISA extension. 

This is a major headache for Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD). Republicans have talked a good game about the SAVE America Act. But the bill not only can’t clear a filibuster. It can’t even command a simple majority of votes in the Senate. 

Two test votes related to the SAVE America Act this spring have failed to garner a simple majority. 

The President’s insistence on linking the SAVE America Act to FISA is a poion pill for Democrats - whose votes are essential in this matter. Moreover, some Republicans will balk as well. 

So just as quickly as there appeared to he a way out of the FISA cul-de-sac, that exit may have quickly closed up again. 

FISA investigations can continue for a while without Congressional authorization which lapsed over the weekend. But this latest demand on the SAVE America Act could lengthen that lapse.

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White House What's Up

After a whirlwind weekend with the UFC White House event, the announcement of an Iran peace deal, and celebrating his 80th birthday, President Trump is on his way to Evian, France to attend the G7. Here's his schedule for this evening: 

  • 5:30 PM — THE PRESIDENT participates in a Bilateral Meeting with the President of the French Republic — Evian, France
  • 7:00 PM — THE PRESIDENT participates in an Official Greeting with G7 Leaders — Evian, France
  • 7:30 PM — THE PRESIDENT participates in a G7 Leaders' Working Dinner — Evian, France

    • Vice President JD Vance and Second Lady Usha celebrated their 12th wedding anniversary over the weekend.

    Keeping Up With the Cabinet

    Sec. State - Marco Rubio — The U.S. Men's National Team may have routed Paraguay on Friday evening, but it's nice to see that Rubio and Paraguay's President Santiago Peña were still able to make nice on Saturday. 

    Full Court Press...

    We had a few notable court decisions of late, including: 

  • ❌ In City of Columbus v. Kennedy (transfer of Medicaid data to DHS), Judge Brendan Hurson (Maryland) GRANTS (most of) plaintiffs' motion for summary judgment. [Grants partial summary judgment for admin. on cross-msj, but balance favors plaintiffs.]
  • ✅ In Douglas v. National Park Service (UFC WH event), Judge Amit Mehta (D.C.) DENIES plaintiffs' motion for TRO/preliminary injunction — LET THE GAMES BEGIN!

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    COMING ATTRACTIONS

    As noted, President Trump is on his way to the G7. According to the President, the formal peace deal with Iran will be signed on Friday. 

    We can expect more Supreme Court decisions this week, though the opinion day(s) have not yet been announced. 

    MORNING MUSING

    Every American company with ad dollars and any sense will be taking full advantage of America's 250th Birthday celebration to invite consumers to spend their hard-earned money on their product(s) by leaning into the emotional pull of patriotism and nostalgia. 

    Coca-Cola has managed to put out some great ads over the years. Their America 250 ad is solid.

    Maybe I'm just getting extra sentimental in my old age, but that one got me in the feels. #Merica!

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