Republicans have virtually nothing to say about the substance of the impeachment inquiry, but when it comes to process, they have some extremely strong talking points—and for people who generally reject the lessons of history, they are really into historical comparisons. Mostly “Soviet,” but occasionally “Star Chamber.” And even today’s Republicans are not old enough for Star Chamber to be the kind of highly relevant reference that makes for powerful political argumentation.
The Washington Post has the numbers: Since September 24, “at least 10 House Republicans and seven Fox News personalities and guests have called the inquiry a ‘Soviet-style’ process or have compared it to a Star Chamber, according to a Fix review.” And one of those seven Fox News personalities is Sean Hannity, who “called the inquiry a ‘Soviet’ process on his show each night for the last two weeks of October.”
Way to talk to the young people who barely even remember the Soviet Union, guys! It’s not even a slick, clever way to turn the conversation from the substance of what it did to the House impeachment inquiry process. It’s clunky and dated and frankly hilarious coming from a party that decided Russian President Vladimir Putin was a fine and dandy guy once he helped elect Donald Trump.