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 and sit down with this 21st Century Weekend Edition of your favorite (online) publication!

#1 – In Completely Unforeseeable Twist, January 6th ‘Conspiracy Theory’ Turns out to Be True — by Bonchie

You have to admire the framing by the Times, though, pondering how much “federal investigators were able to learn from them about the violent mob attack.” Yes, I’m sure that’s a real mystery. Conversely, the FBI agents likely knew exactly what was being discussed the whole time, which would mean one of two things.

One possibility is that the Proud Boys weren’t planning an insurrection and that conservatives who have called it a spontaneous event have been right all along. That would nuke all the deranged attempts to suggest that Republicans, including Donald Trump, somehow orchestrated the entry into the Capitol Building. The other possibility is that the FBI knew a riot was going to take place and did nothing to stop it, instead letting it play out for political reasons. Wouldn’t that be something? Yet, I wouldn’t even begin to put it past them.

#2 – Republicans, Mercifully, Finally Get Some Good News Regarding the 2022 Election — by Bonchie

The three seats mentioned above were absolutely crucial for Democrat chances of retaining the House. That Oregon seat was actually further up the firewall, and probably alone seals the deal. Juan Ciscomani’s comeback in Arizona only pads what will likely be a GOP seat total of 220-221.

So why is it not official? In short, California is going to take weeks to finish counting its votes (because, of course). Yet, most of the contested seats are being led by Republicans in areas that favor them. Mike Garcia in CA27, for example, has already declared victory and his opponent has basically conceded (in a long, whiney Twitter thread), yet it hasn’t been “called” yet. There are several more races of that flavor going on out there.

#3 – Dianne Feinstein Has an Alarming Exchange With a Reporter and I Have Thoughts — by Sister Toldjah

Sen. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) was asked about the Chronicle story back in April, and the answer he gave when asked if he had confidence in her ability to competently serve out her term only further fueled speculation that all the talk about Feinstein’s alleged declining mental acuity was true.

“I’ve had a good number of discussions with Sen. Feinstein, but I’m keeping them to myself,” Schumer stated before quickly pivoting to another reporter in hopes of changing the line of questioning.

Schumer’s answer was a reminder to folks that sometimes it’s what they *don’t* say that says it all. In this case, Schumer couldn’t have been any louder if he’d shouted an announcement about Feinstein through a bullhorn.

#4 – What Democrats Don’t Want You to Know About Hakeem Jeffries — by Sister Toldjah

Jeffries, who has been in Congress since 2013, is being portrayed by some in the media “as a capable operator inside the conference with sharp media skills to sell a Democratic message to the public,” though he may get pushback from “Squad” types in the House who reportedly have “labeled him a centrist.”

But what you won’t hear much about from the fawning press when it comes to Jeffries and the “historic” nature of his presumptive upcoming role as House Minority Leader is that he is – by the Democrats’ own very convenient definition – a threat to democracy. An election denier who routinely tries to delegitimize and undermine “our sacred institutions,” as Democrats have often referred to the courts and the democratic process:

#5 – This Election Was an Unmitigated Disaster, and It’s Time to Air Some Grievances — by Bonchie

Here’s some advice going forward. Look around at those who push certain political figures and ask yourself how they stand to benefit. Would they be relevant if Trump left the stage? Would they be relevant if McConnell left the stage? If the answer is no, then you can assume that they don’t have your best interests at heart. Instead, they just want the gravy train to keep rolling. Personally, I’m sick of people who are content with losing as long as they personally benefit.

“But Bonchie, you are a political writer. What makes you different?” What makes me different is that I see politicians as tools. If that tool isn’t producing the desired result, I’ll throw it in the trash without a second thought. That may cost me readers  (probably not, because you guys are smart), but I don’t care. The downfall of the country is too important of an issue to keep ignoring in favor of cults of personality, and yes, they exist on both sides of the GOP divide.