Masters of distraction

Republicans in Congress have a new slogan: Look over here! In the real world, special counsel Robert Mueller prepares to unseal an indictment on Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election, and on how much Donald Trump and his team may have encouraged and collaborated in that effort.

In the parallel world inhabited by President Trump and congressional Republicans who enable him, investigators are loudly announcing plans to examine alleged malfeasance involving Democrats, most notably Hillary Clinton and members of the Obama administration.

No fewer than three House committee heads announced official probes last week before word came Friday that Mueller had won a grand jury indictment.

House Government Oversight Chairman Trey Gowdy announced a joint investigation with Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte into the Justice Department’s already litigated-to-death 2016 decisions regarding Hillary Clinton’s emails.

Meanwhile, House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes announced his committee will examine the details of a 2015 deal green-lit by the Obama administration that resulted in Russia getting a significant amount of U.S. uranium.

Nunes, recall, was forced to recuse himself from his committee’s Russia election interference probe after he was caught effectively sabotaging the inquiry while funneling information back to the White House.

It is a core congressional responsibility to check the executive branch.

Instead of keeping up with an administration that a year in has already produced its share of scandals, House Republicans, bracing for revelations that embarrass the President, are busy running brazenly partisan interference. Despicable.