Weather analysis in 60 seconds: Monday morning

TOP O’ THE MORNIN’

Red-Hot at RedState

If you didn’t know Comey was problematic, Brennan defending him would confirm it.

What Clyburn is confirming is that he and other Democrats would have gladly used an ailing, incapable Biden to prevent their political opponents from gaining power.

Trending Across Townhall Media

Grado-Flores’ attorney argues that she should never have been charged in the first place. Based on the reported information and the jury’s decisions, it seems like she has a strong case.

Regarding Crossfire Hurricane, the writer desires justice with high-profile individuals facing consequences. They want to see those who have committed offenses to be imprisoned and face the music, similar to the treatment Trump, General Flynn, and others received.

So, now, you have to ask the question: why go public with this information now?

Worst of all, if our worst suspicions are confirmed, it seems Democrats were willing to sacrifice a dementia-ridden, sickly man on the political altar, letting him die in office to prevent a Republican election win.

Is it wrong for us to hope Bill Kristol was at home watching this? Or Rick Wilson?

WHAT’S ON TAP?

Today on Capitol Hill…

Obviously, the big news on the Hill was the late-night Budget Committee vote on Sunday that proved a success for the “Big Beautiful Bill” (reconciliation package). There are additional hurdles to clear, but that’s a big step in the right direction for the House GOP and the Trump agenda.

Two meetings/hearings are set for Monday:

House Veterans’ Affairs, Technology Modernization Subcommittee — “Improving Software Licensing Management”
House Rules — S.J. Res. 13 – Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency of the Department of the Treasury relating to the review of applications under the Bank Merger Act.; S.J. Res. 31 – Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to ‘‘Review of Final Rule Reclassification of Major Sources as Area Sources Under Section 112 of the Clean Air Act’’

White House What’s Up

Although it’s not listed on his formal schedule, President Donald Trump is supposed to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin by phone on Monday. In the afternoon, he and First Lady Melania will participate in a bill signing (the “Take It Down Act,” which she has championed). After that, the president will participate in a law enforcement event in the Oval Office. In the evening, he’ll participate in a Kennedy Center board dinner.

Vice President JD Vance was in Rome over the weekend for the installation of Pope Leo XIV and held some significant discussions with other foreign leaders while there.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt is hosting a press briefing at 9:00 a.m. Eastern.

Full Court Press…

The big news over the weekend was the Supreme Court opinion handed down in A.A.R.P. (now W.M.M.) v. Trump — one that did little but further muddy the waters on the issue of deporting Tren de Aragua members pursuant to the Alien Enemies Act.

We can expect more Supreme Court decisions (on cases argued before them this term) soon, and, of course, the multiple cases involving the administration continue to percolate through the lower courts.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

As noted above, President Trump is set to speak by phone with Vladimir Putin today, so keep an eye out for news (hopefully of the positive variety) from that.

Also, as noted, look for Supreme Court opinions to be handed down later this week.

And that Big Beautiful Bill will be voted on by the Rules Committee on Wednesday and (as of right now) the full House on Thursday.

MORNING MUSING

Regular readers will know that in addition to being a law nerd, I’m a tornado nerd. This time of year, my afternoons/evenings largely consist of watching tornado coverage on YouTube. Though I’m firmly planted in the Midwest, most of the time, it involves monitoring storms to the west (or south or east) of me. Friday, it got a bit closer than that. Things never got all that dicey where I’m located — we got some pea-sized hail and some wind, but nothing dire.

But as I was watching the coverage, I saw a tornado develop right over Clayton (the St. Louis County seat — and also where my sister lives), and then skip its way down through Forest Park, the Central West End, and near North City. That made it very real. It hit — and did significant damage — to places I know and love well. There were several people killed as a result of collapsing buildings. Later Friday, there was more destruction wreaked by storms in Kentucky. There were multiple twisters in Colorado and Kansas on Sunday. There’s more weather on the way today — a possible tornado outbreak is predicted for areas in/around Oklahoma, southwestern Missouri, and Kansas.

I don’t mean to sound all doom and gloom. Just sharing my own recognition that Mother Nature can be both beautiful and terrifyingly deadly — and a reminder for all to be weather-aware and have a plan to keep you and your loved ones safe.

The devastation in and around Forest Park after yesterday’s storm! 🌳 #stlstrong pic.twitter.com/96uRlK5tTT

— STL Aerials / Brad Henderson (@stlaerials) May 18, 2025