King Charles III’s address Tuesday to a Joint Session of Congress was both an historic event and an historical irony. The world witnessed a British king lecturing the world’s premier legislature about 250 years of democratic heritage — the Magna Carta; Madisonian democracy, NATO and more — while politely and humorously challenging Republicans in attendance. This is the same Republican majority responsible for the 118th and 119th Congresses, among the least productive in our 249 years.

Unbelievably, Republicans were among those responding to King Charles’ speech with standing ovations, after sitting on their hands while President Donald Trump has rolled over legislative checks and balances.