Can We Maybe Get Through 2026 Before We Start Worrying About 2028? – RedState

Thursday May 14, 2026

Hello and welcome to RedState’s “Morning Minute” – a quick look at the stories trending right now and a preview of what the day might bring. Consider this your one-stop shop for information to start your day.

TOP O’LE MORNING’

Red Hot at RedState

Fetterman torches his own “anti-American” party – and he names names

I fully expected him to be yet another wacky, pugilistic, far-left Democratic extremist, and I was frankly stunned because he turned out to be the only one in his party who apparently had a functioning brain. No, that doesn’t make him the new hero of the GOP, but I’ll take him and what he says any day over American bashers Schumer, Jeffries, Pelosi, Raskin, Schiff et al.

JD Vance gives brutally honest answer on 2028 ambitions and Marco Rubio

In a city where the next campaign begins before the last one ends, Vance’s response was a deliberate break from form. No maneuvering, no campaign hearing, no winking at the camera. Just a simple argument: voters choose them to govern, and that’s what they do.

Dallas judge still enforced COVID mask rules in 2026 – then chief justice intervened

When the lawyer who helped put you on the bench now files formal legal challenges to your legal proceedings, voters may have figured something out.

Trend in town hall media

Carrying Guns – About That Massive Drop in the Murder Rate

In fact, watching the anti-gunners contort themselves trying to reject this will be better than anything that happens on television for the next two years, and we all know it.

HotAir – Bluesky’s latest merger is quite entertaining

For once, I agree with David Roberts. Bluesky is a little fishbowl where we can all watch liberals yell at each other. And that’s probably all it’s good for at this point

PJ Media — Democratic socialism works! Leftists go crazy for Mamdani after he ‘balanced’ the budget

But the can is kicked, and Mamdani can therefore for the moment rejoice in a feat that he has not really accomplished.

Town Hall — Good riddance to the horrible Thomas Massie

He didn’t report anyone because it was bullshit. It was all a lie. And he didn’t care.

Twitchy – Trump is in China but still manages to cause meltdowns on CNN with his social media posts

They will be so lost in a few years.

WHAT’S ON THE POSTER?

Today, at the Capitol…

Thursday is shaping up to be another busy day on the Hill, with several hearings and meetings scheduled, including:

• House Foreign Affairs and Europe Subcommittee — Securing NATO’s Eastern Border: Assessing the Strategic Landscape in the Baltic Region
• Subcommittee on Judiciary, Integrity, Security, and Immigration Enforcement—“Fairfax County, Virginia: The Dangerous Consequences of Sanctuary Policies” [Former VA AG Jason Miyares to testify, along with Fairfax County Commonwealth Attorney Stephen Descano]
• House Armed Services—Department of the Navy Budget Request for Fiscal Year 2027 [SecNav Hung Cao to testify]
• House Oversight and Government Reform, Federal Law Enforcement Subcommittee — “Privacy and the Second Amendment: Examining the ATF’s Relationship to the Tiahrt Amendment”
• Senate Subcommittee on Appropriations, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies — Hearings to consider the proposed budget estimates and justification for FY 2027 for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. [HUD Secretary Scott Turner to testify]
• Senate Subcommittee on Appropriations, Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies — Hearings to consider the proposed budget estimates and justification for FY 2027 for military construction and family housing.
• House Education and Workforce — “Review of Department of Education Policies and Priorities” [Education Secretary Linda McMahon to testify]
• House Armed Services, Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Innovation Subcommittee—Department of Defense Posture on Science, Technology, and Innovation

On Wednesday, the Senate confirmed Kevin Warsh as the new chairman of the Fed.

What’s new at the White House

President Trump is in China and continues his visit there, including meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Of course, I just realized while putting it all together: the times below are Beijing Time, not Eastern Time… so here’s what President Trump said: was until Thursday:

• 8:00 a.m. – THE PRESIDENT participates in Executive Time – Beijing, China
• 10:00 a.m. — THE PRESIDENT participates in a greeting with the President of the People’s Republic of China — Great Hall of the People
• 10:15 a.m. — THE PRESIDENT participates in a bilateral meeting with the President of the People’s Republic of China — Great Hall of the People
• 6:00 p.m. — THE PRESIDENT participates in a state banquet with the President of the People’s Republic of China — Great Hall of the People

Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance is traveling to Bangor, Maine, on Thursday to deliver a speech on the administration’s efforts to combat fraud.

Follow the Firm

US Trade Representative – Jamieson Greer — Greer continues to highlight the positive aspects of US trade developments.

U.S. exports continue to reach unprecedented highs month after month, surpassing the highest levels in 250 years of American history. pic.twitter.com/Jb7yG2pCuv

– United States Trade Representative (@USTradeRep) May 11, 2026

Plenary press…

There weren’t many notable court rulings issued Wednesday, but we expect the Supreme Court to issue some rulings this morning, starting at 10:00 a.m. We will obviously keep an eye on these and report back if necessary.

UPCOMING ATTRACTIONS

President Trump’s visit to China continues Friday with bilateral tea and lunch with Xi Jinping.

MORNING REFLECTION

There’s planning ahead, and then there’s the insanity we repeatedly subject ourselves to when it comes to presidential elections. Because we’re just under six months away from the 2026 midterm elections — with a lot to look forward to — and yet there’s already buzz and whispers (and outright questioning of potential candidates) about 2028. Why, why, why do we have to do this?

I know I’m just screaming into the void at this point. The finished horse has left the barn. However, I am going to make it a personal habit to refuse to talk about… these elections in two years and after November 3. I don’t – and you can’t make me!

LIGHTER RATE

This made me smile yesterday. Now let it do the same for you:

I’m just here to bring some smiles and positivity to your timeline.. 😊

You are welcome..

Share a photo and name of your beloved pet(s) in the comments for more smiles.

Thank you 🙏❤️ pic.twitter.com/hdbcUyrHNz

– Buitengebieden (@buitengebieden) May 13, 2026

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