Morning Minute: Post-Christmas Reflection – Is it a lump of coal? Or a diamond in the rough? – Red state
Friday December 26, 2025
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
Don’t pop the champagne just yet – Former Bush Admin Warns JB Pritzker Against SCOTUS National Guard Move
One could naturally come to this conclusion, but JB Pritzker only cares about what will polish his presidential term. good faith.
Biden Family Christmas Photo Has People Talking Because of How It Depicts Joe
This seems like an odd placement, but it’s consistent. Even when Joe Biden occupied the Oval Office, he was missing most of the time.
Hot Spots: Trump Admin’s ‘Merry Christmas’ Messages Set the Gold Standard for Political Greetings
Not only has the Trump administration changed the way government does things, but it has also helped make this season of joy and cheerfulness even greater.
Trend in town hall media
Virginia gun owners could soon face stockpiling mandate
As a gun-owning parent, I am a firm believer in responsible firearm storage. But that’s not what Boyko and Hoops are calling for, and that’s not what his legislation will look like.
Our elites are crazy
Transnationalists are obviously hostile to Christianity. This is obviously their right as individuals and is even a legitimate political argument to make, but pretending that there is no transnational hostility towards Christianity and that it is “extreme” to fight against it is just smoke and mirrors.
Another Democrat shows what left-wing elitists are like
Many famous people have asked the fateful question “Do you know who I am?” » in various contexts, and it rarely works well. But this kind of haughtiness and selfishness is emblematic of the left and intrinsic to leftism.
Adam Kinzinger got his revenge in a 60+ minute drama on CBS. There’s only one problem
It probably took five seconds of searching for X to realize that Kinzinger was full of crap about it, and yet The Hill couldn’t be bothered to do that much legwork.
HA! Scott Jennings breaks out some puppets and pencils to explain what ILLEGAL means to Abby Phillip (WATCH)
She really wants to believe that illegal immigrants who enter this country are not breaking the law, that they are not criminals.
It’s so strange.
WHAT’S ON THE POSTER?
Today, at the Capitol…
The Critters are on vacation until January 5. They will return with 25 days to pass the remaining appropriations bills. One might be forgiven for remaining skeptical about what will happen.
What’s new at the White House
President Trump is staying at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida to celebrate Christmas with his family. There are no public events planned for him on Friday…but, of course, that doesn’t mean we won’t hear from him. On Thursday, he announced airstrikes against ISIS terrorists in Nigeria.
READ MORE: Breaking: Trump announces deadly strike against ‘ISIS terrorist scum’ in Nigeria
Don’t be surprised if he has another announcement or two up his sleeve this weekend.
Vice President JD Vance and Second Lady Usha shared a Christmas wish on X.
Merry Christmas from Vice President Vance and @SLOTUS Usha Vance!🎄 pic.twitter.com/bLXmxxldM6
– Vice President JD Vance (@VP) December 25, 2025
Follow the Firm
Second. Work – Lori Chavez-DeRemer — Chavez-DeRemer shared an important reminder on Christmas Eve.
Christmas Night, 1776.
Never forget the sacrifices made by your ancestors for freedom, Patriots.
“Washington Crossing the Delaware” – Emanuel Leutze pic.twitter.com/TnRnuejEB6
– U.S. Department of Labor (@USDOL) December 25, 2025
Plenary press…
Of course, the courts remained silent on Christmas Day. They might even give us a bit of a break today and this weekend. But fear not: there are more decisions to come. In the meantime, did you know that the Supreme Court has already issued three opinions this legislature? None of them were earth-shattering, so maybe not. But…I’m going to release an episode of Skinny on SCOTUS today just to update everyone.
MORNING REFLECTION
Hoping our readers will forgive me for getting sentimental/philosophical these last few days – it’s that time of year, after all, and we can’t be all hard news, all the time.
It’s a quiet morning after Christmas at Susie’s, and there’s that hint of disappointment after the big preparation. Many people still visit family or continue to celebrate, but for some, the big day has passed and…maybe left a bit of sadness or regret in its wake. Perhaps the gift you hoped would be a big hit was met with a quiet reception. Maybe Santa didn’t come with that gift you wanted. Maybe times spent with family and friends ended up being stressful and less joyful.
I just wanted to offer you a word of encouragement if you find yourself in this situation of post-Christmas disappointment: what may seem like a lump of coal right now might just be a diamond in the rough.* Sometimes disappointments are actually opportunities. Look for these opportunities. If there are things you would do differently if given another chance, learn from them and plan for next time. Take these final days of 2025 and think about concrete ways to make 2026 a little brighter and brighter. And most importantly, give yourself (and others) some grace.
*Yes, I know (because I looked it up): coal does not turn into diamonds under pressure. I’m speaking metaphorically – work with me here.
LIGHTER RATE
Here’s a little post-Christmas penguin joy for you.
Little penguins in Santa costume..🐧🎅🐧🎅😍pic.twitter.com/ykw8nmSIGB
– 𝕐o̴g̴ (@Yoda4ever) December 25, 2025
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