Wednesday, May 13, 2026 — A brisk roundup of the morning’s biggest developments: top headlines from the conservative press, what to expect on Capitol Hill today, key votes and hearings, the President’s trip to China, recent court moves, and a short personal musing about dealing with glitches and setbacks.
TOP O’ THE MORNIN’
RedState and its network are leading with hard-hitting takes that are shaping conservative conversation today. Headlines highlight a Nashville showdown over legislative accountability, allegations about COVID vaccine safety communication gaps, and a local NAACP controversy that has triggered backlash. Opinion pieces across the network are framing Democrats as increasingly radical and out of step with ordinary Americans.
Look on the bright side, Tennessee House Dems: many of you will have a lot more time on your hands to go out and protest ICE or scream “Jim Crow 2.0!” or whatever floats your boat.
They wrote it up. They classified it as new safety information under federal law. And they never told the public.
Racism in government and among the various special interest groups whose support they seek is bad, but this level is toxic indeed, so much so that it’s caused a much-deserved and long-overdue backlash against it.
TRENDING ACROSS THE NETWORK
Other outlets in the same media family are spotlighting courageous individuals who acted to stop violence, arguing that some Democrats want to upend state governments, and noting that senior officials try to spin policy failures with predictable results. These pieces are tied together by skepticism about the left’s priorities and a demand for accountability.
I don’t know if he’ll ever choose to go public or talk about his actions, but if he’s reading this I’d like to invite him to be my guest at the upcoming GOAL 250 event in Boxborough, Massachusetts on June 13. He can even have my seat. I’d be more than happy to give it up and stand for this individual who acted with heroism and bravery when a madman tried to murder as many people as possible.
This is where we are. Democrats are not the loyal opposition. They are the color revolution party.
This is where the Democratic Party is in 2026. They don’t just want to win — they believe they’re entitled to win. And when the system doesn’t deliver, the system itself becomes the enemy that must be destroyed.
WHAT’S ON TAP?
Washington is busy today with an array of committee hearings that matter to national security, energy, and the interior. Expect oversight of the Department of Energy and the National Nuclear Security Administration, budget hearings for the Forest Service, and Interior Department scrutiny with top officials expected to testify. The calendar also includes debates on pandemic whistleblower testimony and oversight of federal agencies that affect everyday Americans.
Key items on the docket include budget reviews for the EPA and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, hearings on veterans’ services, and conversations about social media’s impact on kids. Those who follow policy should note debates over workforce protections and infrastructure for small manufacturers, plus hearings about the sandwich generation and VA police operations.
There are several notable Senate votes lined up today. The schedule calls for motions on war powers, proceedings on member pay resolutions, and confirmation votes including an Executive Calendar nomination for a Federal Reserve Board chair. Additional roll call votes are set around mid-afternoon on regulatory and consumer protection measures that could affect banking and medical debt practices.
WHITE HOUSE & FOREIGN TRAVEL
President Trump has landed in China and was received by President Xi Jinping, an event that will draw close attention from every corner of the policy world. The arrival is the primary item on the formal schedule, though his visit will produce ripple effects in trade, national security, and diplomatic channels. Expect commentary and updates throughout the day as the trip unfolds.
KEEPING UP WITH THE CABINET
At OMB, Russ Vought has flagged concerns about alleged politicization at the National Academies and the broader issue of bureaucratic capture. That line of inquiry feeds into a broader conservative narrative about restoring merit-based governance and rolling back ideological influence inside federal institutions. Republicans in oversight roles will push those themes in upcoming hearings and public statements.
FULL COURT PRESS
Court decisions this week shifted the legal battlefield in ways that matter for pending high-profile cases and redistricting fights. Appeals courts granted stays in some matters and denied rehearing in others, creating a mix of wins and losses for different parties. Meanwhile, a state supreme court issued consequential redistricting rulings that observers say will influence political control at the state level.
- In State of Oregon v. Trump (§122 tariffs), Federal Circuit Court of Appeals GRANTS admin’s motion for administrative stay.
- In Trump v. Clinton (RICO/Russia collusion/statute of limitations), 11th Circuit Court of Appeals DENIES Trump’s/plaintiffs’ petition for rehearing en banc.
- In Carroll v. Trump I (defamation), 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals GRANTS Trump’s motion for stay of mandate pending filing and disposition of petition for writ of certiorari at SCOTUS – orders increased $7.4M bond.
Then, too, the Missouri Supreme Court issued two consequential rulings regarding redistricting that will play into local political battles and courtroom strategies moving forward.
MORNING MUSING
Quick behind-the-scenes note: I ran into technical trouble this morning that delayed writing, which was frustrating in a way anyone who lives by deadlines will appreciate. At times like that, the instinct is to rage against the machine or blame outside forces, but the practical option is to keep working and adapt. That attitude—stay focused, fix what you can, and move on—is what you see across the conservative movement when it wins in courts and legislatures.
It might be tempting to mimic the dramatics of political opponents, but conservatives tend to prefer steady, institutional fixes over theatrical breakdowns. So I made tea, rebooted, and kept going — and the day still holds a lot of consequential news, hearings, and votes to watch.
LIGHTER FARE
A rare nature moment caught attention: a mama bear traveling with five cubs, a sight many people seldom see and one that sparked curiosity about whether the image was genuine. It turns out such occurrences, while uncommon, do happen in the wild, and the clip has been circulating as a small break from the day’s heavier stories.
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