Welcome to the RedState Weekly Briefing  — where we take a quick look at the week’s most viewed stories in case you missed any of them. Grab a cup of coffee (or something stronger if you're in a celebratory/holiday mood), and sit down with this 21st Century Weekend Edition of your favorite (online) publication!

#1 - Joe Biden Just Handed Donald Trump the Mother of All Mandates — by Teri Christoph

It hasn't always been Trump's practice to stay quiet while his enemies destroy themselves, but he seems to be taking a mostly sit-back-and-wait approach to watching Joe Biden set flame to the rotted wood and sticks that currently make up the Democrat Party. When he feels like it, Trump may take a poker and push around the embers of his enemies, but, really, he just has to let them continue to self-immolate. 

You hear a lot of pundits talk about "political capital," that invisible yet valuable currency that politicians have to spend in order to get his or her agenda advanced or nominees approved. It was thought that Trump, who was handed gobs of political capital on November 5th, would have to spend some of his capital to get his more controversial nominees, like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Pete Hegseth, approved by the GOP-led Senate. This may still be true, but Joe Biden just gave him something even better:

The mother of all mandates.

#2 - National Christmas Tree Lighting Interrupted by Joe Biden Being a Complete Weirdo — by Bonchie

It certainly seems like his handlers have lost all control. I'd assume that if they had any sway left, they'd have Biden locked up in Delaware until Donald Trump's inauguration. That he continues to make high-profile public appearances, especially after embarrassing himself in Africa, is astonishing. I guess once a president burns their legacy to the ground by pardoning their criminal, degenerate son, the rest is gravy.

Fast-forward to Thursday, and Biden showed up for the National Christmas Tree Lighting. He could have just stood around and enjoyed the show, but the president is just way too weird for that. So he ripped his beanie off instead, leading to some hilarious pictures, and mumbled insults at the press.

#3 - Pardon Fallout: A Visibly Shaken Chuck Todd Turns on Joe and Jill Biden in Must-Watch Moment — by Sister Toldjah

Now, Todd is telling on himself a whole lot here by letting the mask slip on his obvious left-wing political leanings with the anger and other emotions on display. He's also overselling to some extent Joe and Jill Biden being what put the Democrat Party in the situation they are in now, though that certainly factors into the equation.

Nevertheless, his point about the Bidens deciding Joe should run amid all the personal family chaos surrounding Hunter Biden and the loss of Beau that was going on at the time (not to mention Joe Biden's declining health, which Todd admittedly helped hide from the public) was a good one, and is one people should factor in when considering Joe Biden's deeply troublesome political and personal "legacy" (which pundits obviously are doing as we speak).

#4 - JD Vance Delivers the Perfect Response to John Bolton's Freak-Out Over Kash Patel — by Bonchie

There's something not just gross but outright psychopathic about the arrogance with which so many in Washington carry themselves. Much like Liz Cheney, John Bolton's career is one denoted by abject failure. These people hold no moral high ground nor do they have any actual expertise. On the contrary, if they had any shame, they'd sink into the background, never to be heard from again. 

Instead, the Cheneys and Boltons of the world continue to speak as authorities about supposed "norms" that have led to nothing but death and destruction. That wasn't lost on JD Vance, who delivered the perfect response. 

John Bolton has been wrong about everything so I guess Kash must be pretty awesome. https://t.co/V2wYNcqhmh

— JD Vance (@JDVance) December 1, 2024

#5 - FBI Statement re: Trump's Patel Pick Drowned Out by Chorus of Whoops From Former Agents — by Susie Moore

Following the announcement, the FBI issued a rather bland statement via a spokesperson.

FBI statement tonight:

“Every day, the men and women of the FBI continue to work to protect Americans from a growing array of threats. Director Wray's focus remains on the men and women of the FBI, the people we do the work with, and the people we do the work for”

— Scott MacFarlane (@MacFarlaneNews) December 1, 2024

"Every day, the men and women of the FBI continue to work to protect Americans from a growing array of threats. Director Wray's focus remains on the men and women of the FBI, the people we do the work with, and the people we do the work for."

Sure, Jan. I can't imagine Chris Wray's given a moment's thought to where he'll land after January 20, 2025. Not an ounce of energy spent attempting to ensure nothing will come back to bite him.