The reported White House plan to alert news executives that they should “ramp up” scrutiny of House Republicans in the wake of their impeachment-inquiry decision is like telling Elon Musk that he needs to be more impulsive. Or the Duke and Duchess of Sussex that they should gossip about their family more publicly. Or an amphetamine addict that he should, for a change, take additional amphetamines.

This dial only goes to eleven, dammit. It doesn’t go any higher. What more does the White House expect from the press? “Scrutinize Republicans? Gee, hadn’t thought of that. I guess it’s worth a shot . . .”