Morning Minute: The Founding Critters

redstate.com

Friday, July 3, 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

Whoa: A Sacramento Insider Wore a Wire in Dana Williamson/Gavin Newsom Probe

At the time of Williamson's arrest, numerous Sacramento lobbyists and even officeholders received letters from the FBI letting them know that some of their communications might have been intercepted as part of the probe.

Pirro Steamrolls Lame Reporters Who Tried to Minimize Vandalism at the National Mall Reflecting Pool

Pirro wasn’t standing for their BS gaslighting, and nor should any American who believes in this country.

What One Secret Service Agent Was Really Doing (Googling) As Trump’s Would-Be Assassin Opened Fire

It was a cascade of inexcusable failures. A man died in this attack, two others were severely wounded, the future President was almost killed, and the nation would have almost surely been plunged into absolute chaos.

Trending Across Townhall Media

Bearing Arms — Internet Has Opinions After Woman Claims Self-Defense in Parking Lot Shooting

I don't know if this was self-defense or not. I'll await the results of the sheriff's investigation, and if they file charges then we'll be closely following her Stand Your Ground hearing.

HotAir — Commie Mamdani's Pied-à-Terre Billionaire Tax Attack Began Yesterday

These dream worlds are always built on someone else's sweat equity.

PJ Media — The FBI's Georgia Probe Asks the Question 2020 Critics Tried to Bury

Our country can survive hard answers, but it can't survive a ruling class that tells people to stop asking

Townhall — The New Socialists—Elite, Ungrateful, and Toxic as Ever

The real rub is that Trump is their flip side—not a revolutionary but a counterrevolutionary.

Twitchy — Thumbnails From Hell: A New Level of Cringe Revealed - The Awful 'Art' of Jim Acosta's YouTube Channel

You think Acosta and his fellow broadcastaways are broken now; wait until they no longer have daily Trump-related content to base their lives, podcasts, and online videos on.

WHAT'S ON TAP?

Today on Capitol Hill...

Today...it's all about America 250. The celebrations are in full swing as we get ready to wish our nation a very happy milestone birthday. Many of the critters are likely in their home districts to celebrate the Fourth, though some may have stayed in D.C. for the festivities there.

White House What's Up

It will be an action-packed weekend for 47 as we celebrate Independence Day. First, on Friday:

8:00 AM — THE PRESIDENT participates in Executive Time — The White House

10:30 AM — THE PRESIDENT participates in a Policy Meeting — Oval Office

2:00 PM — THE PRESIDENT participates in a Policy Meeting — Oval Office

3:00 PM — THE PRESIDENT participates in Signing Time — Oval Office

3:30 PM — THE PRESIDENT participates in a Policy Meeting — Oval Office

3:30 PM — THE PRESIDENT departs the White House en route Keystone, South Dakota — The White House

8:30 PM MDT — THE PRESIDENT arrives in Keystone, South Dakota — Keystone, South Dakota

8:30 PM MDT — THE PRESIDENT delivers Remarks — Mount Rushmore

8:30 PM MDT — THE PRESIDENT departs Keystone, South Dakota en route the White House — Keystone, South Dakota

Then Saturday:

8:00 AM — THE PRESIDENT arrives at the White House — The White House

8:00 AM — THE PRESIDENT participates in Executive Time — The White House

9:45 PM — THE PRESIDENT attends the Salute to America Celebration — National Mall

9:45 PM — THE PRESIDENT delivers Remarks at the Salute to America Celebration — National Mall

And Sunday:

8:00 AM — THE PRESIDENT participates in Executive Time — The White House

Keeping Up With the Cabinet

Sec. Homeland Security - Markwayne Mullin — Mullin shared a look at what the country has accomplished since the signing of the "One Big Beautiful Bill."

It’s been one year since @POTUS Trump signed the ONE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL and the results have been, and will continue to be, absolutely remarkable for our country.
This is what good government looks like ⬇️
🇺🇸Over $1.6T in spending cuts
🇺🇸No tax on tips, socials security, or… pic.twitter.com/eOOIRZhU2X
— Secretary Markwayne Mullin (@SecMullinDHS) July 3, 2026

It’s been one year since @POTUS Trump signed the ONE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL and the results have been, and will continue to be, absolutely remarkable for our country.
This is what good government looks like ⬇️
🇺🇸 Over $1.6T in spending cuts
🇺🇸 No tax on tips, socials security, or overtime pay
🇺🇸 Investments in new technology to secure our borders on both land and sea
🇺🇸 Historic funding for @ICEgov, @CBP, and @USCG to make America safe again

Full Court Press...

This section remains under renovation. Please check back later for a more thorough update on what the courts have been up to.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

As noted, President Trump is returning to the Dakotas this evening — this time to South Dakota to deliver a speech at Mt. Rushmore as we celebrate America 250.

He'll head to Turkey for the NATO Summit July 7-8.

And we've got oodles of America 250 festivities continuing through the weekend.

MORNING MUSING

Regular readers know that I frequently refer to our Article I electeds as "Congress critters," or, most often, just "critters." I didn't come up with the appellation, but it just seems fitting. And I use it with a certain degree of affection — although mixed with a healthy dose of derision.

But while our modern-era critters spend much of their energy fundraising and chasing viral social media clips, I thought today of all days probably warranted some reflection on what the Founding Critters were up to a quarter millennium ago:

Sources tell me the horses of the New York Provincial Congress are stabled on the way to safety in Philadelphia.
Please let this be true. https://t.co/AV1cJ4SVfc
— 1776 Live (@250YearsAgoLive) July 2, 2026

Okay — no derision for them. Just mad, mad respect. And gratitude. 🇺🇸❤️

Bonus Feature - the Freedom 250 Event Schedule

Salute to America Schedule

10:00 AM The Great American State Fair and FIFA Fan Zone Open
National Mall
Open to the Public

1:15 PM Aircraft Flyovers and Demonstrations Begin
National Mall
Recurring Throughout the Day

Heat Advisory Recommendations:

Utilize free hydration stations and drink plenty of water.

Take breaks from the sun and use shaded areas or air-conditioned pavilions.

Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing and wide-brimmed hats.

Pay special attention to young children, older adults, pregnant women, and those with chronic medical conditions.

Visit on-site medical units if you experience signs of heat-related illness.

5:00 PM Washington Monument Grounds Open for Salute to America
Washington Monument Grounds
Public Admission

7:00 PM Salute to America Live Program Begins
National Mall
Open to the Public

9:45 PM President Donald J. Trump Delivers Remarks
National Mall

10:30 PM World's Largest Fireworks Display
National Mall

Flyovers and Demonstrations

1:14 PM NASA F-5 Flyover

1:24 PM NASA Fleet Review

1:44 PM U.S. Coast Guard Helicopter Flyover

1:54 PM U.S. Coast Guard Fixed-Wing Flyover

2:09 PM Golden Knights / Leap Frogs Demonstration

2:29 PM U.S. Army Helicopter Flyover

2:44 PM U.S. Air Force Fleet Review — Wave 1 (Heavies)

2:54 PM U.S. Air Force Fleet Review — Wave 2 (AFSOC)

3:04 PM U.S. Air Force Fleet Review — Wave 3 (Fighters)

3:29 PM Executive Rotary Wing Airlift

3:39 PM U.S. Marine Corps Fleet Review — Wave 1 (Rotary)

3:49 PM U.S. Marine Corps Fleet Review — Wave 2 (Fixed Wing)

3:59 PM U.S. Navy Fleet Review — Wave 1 (Rotary)

4:09 PM U.S. Navy Fleet Review — Wave 2 (Fixed Wing)

4:19 PM U.S. Navy Fleet Review — Wave 3 (Fighters)

4:21 PM U.S. Navy F/A-18F Demonstration

4:59 PM U.S. Navy Blue Angels

5:26 PM U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey Demonstration

5:44 PM U.S. Air Force Fighter Flyover

6:02 PM U.S. Air Force Tri-Bomber Formation

6:05 PM U.S. Navy F-35C Demonstration

6:25 PM U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds Demonstration

7:03 PM Air Force One Flyover

7:07 PM U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds Delta Break

7:17 PM "HUGE ONE" Flyover Led by the Newly Renovated Air Force One

7:38 PM U.S. Stealth Airpower Flyover

7:39 PM F-22 Raptor Demonstration

7:53 PM F-22 Raptor Afterburner Pass

7:59 PM B-1 Flyover

8:07 PM B-1 Afterburner Pass

8:11 PM "HUGE ONE" Flyover Review

8:22 PM Golden Knights Twilight Jump

10:36 PM B-1 Afterburner Night Pass

LIGHTER FARE

H/t to the Handsome Beau for this one. I choose to believe she's living her best life and is just overcome with the joy of it — but at least she's keeping cool!

This is Cupcake. She is either living her best life or really going through it. Either way, probably best to give her a moment. 14/10 pic.twitter.com/qFWwP0Pv4t
— WeRateDogs (@dog_rates) July 2, 2026

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