TOP O’ THE MORNIN’
Red-Hot at RedState
A major news outlet endorsed laws targeting the spread of false information, only to be caught spreading misinformation themselves for political advantage. The irony is undeniable. CBS News has certainly raised the bar with this unprecedented move.
Recently, the meaningful days dedicated to honoring our two greatest leaders over nearly two and a half centuries were cynically transformed into an opportunity for retail stores to boost sluggish winter sales through enticing discounts on mattresses and pillows.
Just like rats deserting a sinking ship, Psaki seems to have finally recognized that the Democratic Party’s position is faltering.
Trending Across Townhall Media
The fact that we all rejoiced when they elected him should have been a sign, but they didn’t see it.
It’s a money-laundering operation that Klobuchar’s attempting to defend, and her voice is shaking because the grift has become obvious.
Waller believes the FBI could be dispatched with the stroke of a pen by issuing a similar memo signed by Attorney General Pam Bondi.
Trump is popular. His agenda is popular. And the work to shrink government has the support of most voters. Pound sand, losers.
They complain that Trump is a wannabe dictator … and then turn around and say that he should have the power to censor them and take away their guns. How does that even compute?
WHAT’S ON TAP?
Today on Capitol Hill…
Monday will be a bit quiet-ish on Capitol Hill — it’s a federal holiday, as we celebrate Presidents Day. (Actually, per the OPM, we’re celebrating Washington’s Birthday. But, as our Andrew Malcolm rightly notes, today is neither Washington’s birthday nor Lincoln’s.)
Also, the House is in recess. The Senate, however, will be getting back to work on Tuesday evening, when they’ll take a procedural vote on Kash Patel’s nomination as FBI Director before voting on Howard Lutnick’s confirmation as Secretary of Commerce. They’ll also be hammering out the details on their budget proposal.
White House What’s Up
Monday’s official schedule is unusually quiet for President Donald Trump — perhaps he’s celebrating Presidents Day by kicking back a bit following his Sunday appearance at the Daytona 500. (I don’t really believe that. I expect we’ll hear something out of the president as we roll through the day.)
Keeping Up With the Cabinet
Sec. Defense – Pete Hegseth — Hegseth is back stateside following his trip to Europe.
(Note: Apologies for the abbreviated version this AM. Will have a fuller rundown for Tuesday’s edition.)
Full Court Press…
The courts are mostly closed today due to the holiday, but not all of them are. U.S. District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan is holding a hearing on Monday at 11:00 a.m. Eastern on the case in which 13 states claim “that President Trump has violated the Appointments Clause of the United States Constitution by creating a new federal Department without Congressional approval and by granting Musk sweeping powers over the entire federal government without seeking the advice and consent of the Senate.” We’ll continue to monitor that case and provide updates as they become available.
After much kerfuffling in the Southern District of New York, the DOJ has formally requested the dismissal of the government’s case against Mayor Eric Adams.
COMING ATTRACTIONS
As noted above, the Senate will be taking its procedural vote on Kash Patel as FBI Director Tuesday evening, along with a confirmation vote for Howard Lutnick as Commerce Secretary.
This week also will see a number of conservatives, including many of your favorite RedState contributors, traveling to D.C. for the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) — or, as I like to call it, “the Mother Ship.” We’ll be bringing you coverage of the highlights from that, as well.
MORNING MUSING
Anyone who knows me knows I’m rarely at a loss for words, but hearing Magaret Brennan drop her absurd claim about the Nazis and free speech on CBS’ “Face the Nation” Sunday just about rendered me so. Bookended with the “60 Minutes” gaslighting extravaganza on free speech needing boundaries — both of which followed the apoplexy of EU leaders over Vice President JD Vance daring to point out to them the perils of attempting to squelch speech — it became rather painfully clear that CBS is all-in on the next big push. Indeed, the powers that aim to remain will be doing their level best to paint speech as a threat. Do not let them.
They no more believe that free speech caused the holocaust (or is a “threat to democracy”) than they believe that a video prompted the attack in Benghazi or COVID came from a pangolin.
Simply setting the table for the next battle. #LyingLiars https://t.co/Ahxpft8aWh
— Susie Moore ⚾️🌻🐶 (@SmoosieQ) February 17, 2025
LIGHTER FARE
Spin cycle!
How washing machines work..🐈🏐😂 pic.twitter.com/izZREPoZud
— 𝕐o̴g̴ (@Yoda4ever) February 16, 2025
