The Memetic Cabinet – RedState

Friday January 16, 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

Gavin Newsom sells his own communications team and backtracks on their vile ICE statement

What do these two episodes tell you? 1) Don’t find yourself in a hole with Gavin Newsom. When the bullets start flying, he will use you as a shield. I can’t imagine his press office being too positive about this. 2) Man has no principles. Whichever way the wind blows, that’s the direction it will turn.

Injustice suffered: elderly New York doorman jailed 4 years after defending himself against an attacker

New York State has no desire to protect its own citizens. He is hyper-focused – ALWAYS – on criminals. Foehner did everything right that fateful night when he was approached by a career criminal. It was only his failure to comply with New York’s draconian gun laws that cost him dearly.

Homan vows to expose left-wing agitators: reveals new plan to ‘make them famous’

It will be quite something to see these rubes put on masks again to hide their identities so they can try to ram ICE agents and smash their SUV windows with impunity. Especially after they were repeatedly mocked by law enforcement for wearing them.

Trend in town hall media

DOJ Finally Finds Federal Gun Control Law That Is Indefensible

On Thursday, the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel issued an erroneous opinion declaring the federal ban on mailing pistols, revolvers and “other firearms capable of being concealed on the person ‘unconstitutional’ as applied to constitutionally protected firearms, including handguns, because it serves an illegitimate purpose and is inconsistent with the nation’s tradition of gun regulation.”

When Resistance AWFLs Don’t Realize Not All States Think Their Tantrums Are Adorable

The AWFL recorded messages threatening evil intentions, promising future harm, and practicing haiku or any other type of martial arts they deemed fashionable.

Hakeem Jeffries just crossed a dangerous line that cannot be crossed

Let’s keep something in mind here. It’s Democrats who are inciting violence by calling ICE agents Trump’s Gestapo and accusing them of crimes. Democrats may not like the immigration law being re-enforced, but the law is the law. If they don’t like it, they can try to change the law.

This is the key sentence uttered by a member of Lance Twiggs’ family about Charlie Kirk’s killer

She was asked about the backgrounds of the two individuals, whether she had witnessed any social changes, the whereabouts of Lance, who was apparently under temporary protection from the FBI, and whether Twiggs would cooperate further with investigators. But the key sentence was when she asked if she was sure Robinson was the right guy – she didn’t hesitate to say the police had arrested the “right guy.”

Scott Jennings tells Kasie Hunt that CNN has it all wrong on Minnesota’s ICE insurrection

It is obvious that the Democrats want conflict. Officials could easily avoid tragedy, danger and death by simply working with the federal government. Of course, this means that the party will lose its illegal foreigners. Unfortunately, we don’t see Democrats putting America and America’s interests first again.

WHAT’S ON THE POSTER?

Today, at the Capitol…

It’s Friday, so no meetings or hearings are scheduled on the Hill. The Senate is in recess next week BUT… before leaving town, they managed to pass a spending minibus of three bills, covering spending for the Departments of Commerce, Justice, Energy, and Interior through the end of September and marking the halfway point on FY26 appropriations that must be completed by the end of January.

READ MORE: Senate Passes 3-Bill Spending Minibus Before Recess, But Democrats Continue Resisting DHS

What’s new at the White House

Friday morning, President Trump will participate in the “Roundtable on the Great Historic Investment in Rural Health” in the East Room. In the afternoon, he will travel to Palm Beach for the weekend – but he will work during his stay: on Saturday he is scheduled to meet the Slovak Prime Minister.

Vice President JD Vance makes the case for the president’s proposed $1.5 trillion defense budget.

“Our sacred responsibility is to ensure that the United States military is the bravest and finest fighting force in the world. » — Vice President Vance 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/bnxg1Dk0XH

– Vice President JD Vance (@VP) January 15, 2026

Follow the Firm

Second. State – Marco Rubio — Rubio, despite wearing countless hats (and starring in countless memes), still finds time to comment on key court cases, like the one involving Mahmoud Khalil.

Regarding the fake news spreading misinformation about the appeal decision regarding Mahmoud Khalil, here is our position in simple terms:

If you sympathize with terrorists, your presence is contrary to the national and foreign policy interests of the United States. You are not welcome here. https://t.co/VyTAYGopSy

– Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) January 15, 2026

READ MORE: Trump administration scores big victory in Mahmoud Khalil case, but decision will still make you furious

Plenary press…

We had some important court decisions on Thursday, including the one mentioned above:

• ✅ Khalil c. Joyce (habeas) – 3rd Circuit panel divided 2-1 vacates and remands district court orders (for lack of jurisdiction).
• ❌ American Federation of Government Employees AFL-CIO v. Noem (cancellation of collective bargaining) — Judge Jamal Whitehead (Western District of Washington) GRANTS plaintiffs’ motion to enforce a preliminary injunction.

UPCOMING ATTRACTIONS

More oral arguments at the Supreme Court next week, including Trump vs. Cookregarding President Trump’s attempted impeachment of Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook.

MORNING REFLECTION

If you’ve spent any time on social media recently (or even if you’ve just received texts or emails from friends/family who do), you’ve probably seen the ubiquitous Marco-Memes. The iconic image of Secretary of State Rubio sitting on one of the Oval Office couches looking unsatisfied has become a meme-o-riff. Witness:

MAMA Rubio wonders when everyone will come home AND CLEAN UP THIS MESS!!! pic.twitter.com/8ebzQFEYxe

– Drew Abernathy (@OvernightHaulin) January 14, 2026

.@SecRubio realizes he’s breaking the fourth wall pic.twitter.com/4FTwL3wT4P

– David Keyes (@DavidMKeyes) January 12, 2026

And memes involving Vice President JD Vance have taken on a life of their own. See for example:

The Electoral College couldn’t stop this! pic.twitter.com/673fySwADR

– Ryan B (@Network_Guy8) January 12, 2026

Look, governing is serious business, and to say the current geopolitical situation is tense is an understatement. But we all need to be able to relax from time to time, just to maintain our sanity, and having an administration that lends itself to a little levity – even leans into it – is a welcome relief.

LIGHTER RATE

I guess if he were a goat, he’d be the Karate Kid…

Karate baby cow..🐄🥋😅 pic.twitter.com/UqkxmmuzZ2

– 𝕐o̴g̴ (@Yoda4ever) January 16, 2026

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