Monday, January 19, 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
Bessent on Greenland, Tariffs, and Why Jerome Powell Is in a Pickle
Welker then pivoted to the role tariffs play in the discussion, questioning what “national emergency” might justify their use. Bessent explained that the goal here is to prevent an emergency.
Minnesota’s SNAP Fraud Fiasco Is the Warning Shot States Can’t Ignore
Minnesota’s scandal is dramatic, but it’s just the tip of the iceberg. When oversight is treated as a nuisance, taxpayers get left behind. Unemployment Insurance and SNAP are still riddled with weak spots. Outdated systems linger. Verification gaps fester. Politicians still flinch at demanding real reform, afraid they’ll look heartless.
Watch: Crazy Moment Nick Sortor Is Allegedly Robbed in Minneapolis – FBI Is on It
Sortor was dragged down the street after he grabbed the handle of the car door. Sortor said his hand got trapped in the door. That looked exceedingly dangerous, and he’s fortunate he was okay after that — that he wasn’t seriously hurt.
Trending Across Townhall Media
Anti-Gun Professor Really Stepped On It in Recent Op-Ed
So Winkler, whose long and notable history of public comments on guns shows which side of the aisle he’s firmly on, admitted that nothing he wants would survive a trip before the Supreme Court.
It’s all unconstitutional.
Roving Bands of Leftist Brownshirts Attacking Random People in Minneapolis
Walz and Frey could make this all go away instantly. Tom Homan made it clear that ICE would leave if both the cities and the state simply turned over the illegal alien criminals in custody.
That they won’t turn over the worst of the worst and would rather have this chaos and violence instead tells you everything you need to know.
And Suddenly, About 100 Minneapolis Cops Disappeared
You can hardly blame people who went to a police academy and learned about the law for wanting to take a break from not doing their jobs, while being paid for not doing their jobs. Maybe they’ll use the family leave to get a new job somewhere else — a place where there is a rule of law.
‘You Didn’t Build That:’ Wealthy Journo Thinks California Is Entitled to Steal Billionaire’s Money
The entire operating mentality behind Swisher’s statement is greed. Democrats are inherently greedy and believe they “deserve” our money for no reason other than we have it, and they want it.
An Army of Nightmares: Virginia Democrats Unleash a Torrent of Horrific Legislation for 2026
Gear up, Virginia. Because this horror movie is just beginning. And it will be more terrifying than Friday the 13th, The Omen, The Exorcist, and Halloween put together.
WHAT’S ON TAP?
Today on Capitol Hill…
Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. day, so no activity on the Hill today, but there will be some interesting hearings this week, including one on Thursday before the House Judiciary Committee with former Special Counsel Jack Smith.
White House What’s Up
President Trump is in Florida and will be attending the College Football National Championship Game in Miami this evening before returning to the White House.
Over the weekend, Vice President JD Vance ripped Indiana Republicans for their failure to push forward with redistricting.
I’d like to thank @bray_rodric for not even trying to fight back against this extraordinary Democrat abuse of power.
Now the votes of Indiana Republicans will matter far less than the votes of Virginia Democrats. We told you it would happen, and you did nothing. https://t.co/oj1XvXHKvM
— JD Vance (@JDVance) January 17, 2026
READ MORE: Vance Goes Scorched Earth on Indiana Republicans Over Looming Midterm Disaster – ‘You Did Nothing’
Keeping Up With the Cabinet
Sec. Treasury – Scott Bessent — Bessent joined NBC’s Meet the Press on Sunday and gave host Kristen Welker a reality check on a number of topics.
READ MORE: Bessent on Greenland, Tariffs, and Why Jerome Powell Is in a Pickle
Full Court Press…
There have been a number of notable court rulings in the past few days, none of them particularly positive for the administration (or for the push against Prop. 50 in California), but, as always, remember that these are not the final word.
- ❌ Stanford Daily Publishing Corporation v. Rubio (First Amendment) — Judge Noël Wise (Northern District of California) DENIES admin’s motion to dismiss.
- ❌ Minnesota v. USDA (SNAP funds) — Judge Laura Provinzino (Minnesota) GRANTS plaintiffs’ motion for preliminary injunction (motion granted via minute order on 1/14, but this is the opinion).
- ❌ Tangipa v. Newsom (Prop. 50) — special panel DENIES plaintiffs’ application for injunction pending appeal.
- ❌ Tincher v. Noem (immigration enforcement/Operation Metro Surge) — Judge Katherine Menendez (Minnesota) GRANTS in part/DENIES in part plaintiffs’ motion for preliminary injunction.
- ❌ U.S. v. Weber (voter rolls) — Judge David Carter (Central District of California) GRANTS defendants’ motion to dismiss.
READ MORE: New: Judicial Panel Upholds California’s Prop 50 Redistricting Map, Almost Assuring Trip to SCOTUS
Biden-Appointed Judge Neuters ICE — You Can’t Use Non-Lethal Weapons or Arrest ‘Peaceful’ Agitators
The Supreme Court is closed on Monday in honor of MLK Day, but will be back holding oral argument on Tuesday.
COMING ATTRACTIONS
As noted above, SCOTUS will be hearing arguments again this week — including, on Wednesday, Trump v. Cook, regarding President Trump’s attempted removal of Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook.
President Trump is headed to Davos, Switzerland, later this week to address the World Economic Forum.
MORNING MUSING
I realize what I’m about to say here will fall on deaf ears (eyes?), but I’m going to say it anyway:
- If you’re using your vehicle to block law enforcement operations, you’re not the good guys.
- If you’re storming local businesses, like hotels and delis, to harass ICE agents (or anyone), you’re not the good guys.
- If you’re stealing journalists’ cameras or other equipment, you’re not the good guys.
- If you’re disrupting worship services to stage your protests, you’re not the good guys.
- Oh, and if you’re “reporting” on the disruption of worship services and characterizing it as protesters exercising their First Amendment rights, you’re not the good guy(s) — and you just might be decidedly dumb.
LIGHTER FARE
“He picked the colors…”
That’s a true best friend right there
🤜🤛❤️ pic.twitter.com/zjM412wIsb— PeachProof (@PeachProof23) January 17, 2026
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