Welcome to 2025, and 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 – Biden Flies Back From St. Croix – What He Does Next Says Everything About Him — by Nick Arama

Biden isn’t even finished yet with vacations. He’s still planning on going to the Vatican in January to visit the Pope to seek “solace and relief.” What does that even mean? What does he need relief from when he’s constantly on vacation? If he’s still throwing a fit over being shoved aside from the election, that’s all on his Democrat buddies. He went along with it.  He and they should be apologizing for the anti-democratic act of swapping in Kamala Harris, who didn’t have the primary vote for the position. 

I can’t wait for the big boy stairs to come back on Jan. 20.

#2 – Biden Returns From Vacation With Unexplained Injuries, Wild Remarks — by Nick Arama

But according to Rosen, the White House is refusing to explain the injuries. Rosen said the White House also cancelled a press briefing that they had on the schedule for Thursday. 

As we reported earlier, Biden (or an intern) posted that he had a meeting with his Homeland Security team and Kamala Harris to discuss where they were on the “terrorist attack” in New Orleans and the “car explosion” in Las Vegas. He said they would be trying to get to the bottom of things.

#3 – NEW: Possible Motive in Cybertruck Explosion Revealed — by Bonchie

It would also explain why someone with Livelsberger’s expertise on weapons and explosives would stuff some fireworks and gas canisters in the back of a steel-bodied truck and call it a day. If you assume he was trying to kill other people, that seems like a pretty big mistake. If you make the counter-assumption that he wasn’t trying to kill other people, though, then it all starts to make a lot more sense. Authorities are even looking into the idea that he chose a Cybertruck specifically because it would limit any collateral damage.

#4 – WATCH: Clueless Biden Has Trouble With Questions in St. Croix – Look Who Comes to His Aid — by Nick Arama

Well, no, Putin didn’t take responsibility, as we reported. And wouldn’t that have been a top priority to be advised on and discuss immediately — that is, if Biden were truly in charge? And he doesn’t have an opinion to offer unless he speaks to his team? Does he not know what to say without their notes? That’s the implication of that response, and he doesn’t even realize it. 

A reporter also asked about a “hostage update,” but Biden turned away and ignored it. So much for the American hostages who have been held for more than a year. Notice Biden got more help from Hunter, who was trying to pull Joe away from the reporters to the car, saying, “Dad!” 

#5 – Trump Just Made the Most Hilarious Political Appointee Announcement in Presidential History — by Bonchie

I don’t know, but whatever the reason, Ortagus is starting off her new job on thin ice. In fact, the entire first paragraph seems like a bit of a warning shot to everyone who has been nominated for an executive position: Get in line, or you’re gone.