Monday Morning Minute: Inauguration Elation

Monday, January 20, 2025

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. We made it, folks — it's officially Inauguration Day! Consider this your one-stop shop for news to kickstart your day. 

TOP O' THE MORNIN'

Red-Hot at RedState 

Consequences at Last: Trump Ready to Pay Back 51 'Former Intelligence Officers' Who Misled America

Trump is right to take action. I can’t help but wish there wasn’t a stronger measure to be pulled against these liars, but revoking their security clearances isn’t a bad start.

The Art of the Dodge: Hakeem Jeffries Flails and Squirms When Confronted Over Biden Gaslighting

“This moment is not for us to look backwards,” he claimed. You have to be kidding me. This is the exact time to be looking at what you and your cohorts did—you endangered America in your desperate thirst for power, and such subterfuge must never be allowed to happen again.

What Hamas Gave the Three Released Female Hostages Will Make Your Skin Crawl and Your Anger Boil Over

I get that American politicians on both sides wanted a ceasefire deal so they could wash their hands of the issue, but this isn't going to end here.

Trending Across Townhall Media

After SCOTUS Decision on Maryland's Gun Law, Legislators Want to Ramp It Up

My hope is that this is a bridge too far, even for Maryland. The people there deserve better, but that's only going to happen if they start voting for better.

BREAKING: Biden Pardons Fauci, Milley, J6 Committee

The pardons for Fauci and Milley are somewhat more meaningful, but that makes them even more corrupt.

SCARY: Speaker Johnson Reveals When He Knew Biden Wasn't In Charge Anymore

This conversation is a stark reminder of the leadership vacuum at the top of the U.S. government.

Trump Returns to the Sounds of the Lamentations of the Women-Identifying

Last November, America said it wanted to give winning a chance. And now we’ve got that chance.

Cleaning House: Diplomats Leaving in Droves As Team Trump Demands State Department Resignations

They will not be missed.

WHAT'S ON TAP?

Today on Capitol Hill...

This will be about the busiest day ever on the Hill, between President Donald Trump's swearing-in in the Capitol Rotunda, followed by his signing ceremony in the President's Room, just outside the Senate Chamber, the inaugural luncheon in Statutory Hall, and the review of the troops from the East Front steps. Once Trump leaves the Capitol, there will be some additional activity regarding his nominees — including some committee votes on some of those who've already sat for their hearings. 

• Senate Foreign Relations — Business meeting to consider the nomination of Marco A. Rubio, of Florida, to be Secretary of State
• Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs — Business meeting to consider the nominations of Kristi Noem, to be Secretary of Homeland Security, and Russell Vought, to be Director, Office of Management and Budget

Our dear Congress critters are bound to be in attendance at the various inaugural balls, as well. 

White House What's Up

Out with the old
In with the new
We welcome Trump in
And bid Biden adieu. 

Fresh off issuing some eye-opening last-minute pardons, President Joe Biden (and First Lady Jill) will host a tea with incoming President Trump and First Lady Melania on Monday morning. They'll attend the inauguration and then receive a formal farewell as they leave the Capitol. One expects once they depart D.C., they'll head home to Wilmington, Delaware. Bye now. 

Following the swearing-in, Trump will, as noted above, participate in a signing ceremony, the inaugural luncheon, a review of the troops, the presidential parade (now taking place at Capitol One Center), an Oval Office ceremony, and then the inaugural balls. Whew!

Full Court Press...

No Supreme Court oral arguments or other court appearances are set for Monday as it's a legal holiday — it's both Inauguration Day and Martin Luther King Jr. Day. 

That, as noted above, didn't stop the exiting president from issuing a handful of "preemptive" pardons Monday morning to Dr. Science, General Mutiny, and the J6 Theatre Troupe. We sort of knew this was coming. I'm surprised we've not seen the remainder of the Biden family included — but, hey, there are still almost four hours left in his presidency. 

Expect no shortage of commentary from the left remarking on the unprecedented nature of Trump's (re)taking office as a...duh-duh-duh...convicted felon. 

COMING ATTRACTIONS

On Tuesday, Trump will attend the traditional prayer service at Washington National Cathedral. 

Upcoming confirmation hearings include:

• Doug Collins - Secretary of Veterans Affairs (Jan. 21)
• Elise Stefanik - UN Ambassador (Jan. 21)
• Dan Driscoll - Secretary of the Army (Jan. 23)
• Brooke Rollins - Secretary of Agriculture (Jan. 23)

Later in the week, Trump plans to head to California to survey the damage from the recent wildfires. 

MORNING MUSING

I've had mixed emotions before, but never such contrasting ones. Actually, wait, come to think of it, they aren't contrasting. What I feel is borderline elation — it's just for two extraordinarily contrasting reasons. I'm beyond happy to see Joe (and Jill) Biden shuffle out the door at 1600 Pennsylvania — can't happen soon enough. What a dreadful 1,461 days this has been. Or...as my friend Stephen Kruiser puts it: 

Amen, Kruiser. Amen. 

And I'm beyond happy to see Donald Trump stride in — that's not something I'd have believed had you told me eight years ago — or even four. I'm hopeful that he'll bring the energy and the focus he seems to have really honed in the past few months, and we'll see him exact the best revenge: success. 

LIGHTER FARE 

I am hard-pressed to do so. 

Though my pup has her own ideas about that...