For those not clued into conservative grievance culture, the behavior of Devin Nunes and his Republican colleagues during the impeachment hearings in the House struck an odd chord. They weren’t working to convince undecided Americans, much less Democratic lawmakers, of Trump’s innocence; the evidence—and the White House’s efforts to limit witnesses and documents—indicated that the president’s guilt was obvious and overwhelming. Instead of grappling with the facts or, as a matter of congressional oversight, demanding transparency from the White House, Republicans repeated a steady stream of talking points, often at high volume. The outdoor voice signaled determination. It smacked of performative fundraising.
