The State of the Union is strong, jobs are flooding back, national pride has returned, American might is unrivaled, and America’s enemies are on the run. Such were the themes of Donald Trump’s annual speech this evening (and practically every other that’s come before it).

The State of the Union has always underscored the absurd institutional liturgy of American politics like nothing else. Last night, a president facing impeachment proceedings and mired in too many scandals to count, huffed and bloviated while dealing in saccharine platitudes (“This nation is our canvass, and this country is our masterpiece,” he said at one point) that could have been uttered by past presidents both Democratic and Republican.

Amid the bread and circuses, elected members of the nominal opposition stood in rapturous applause for regime change (personified in Venezuelan would-be-coup plotter Juan Guaidó’s attendance at the speech) and the abstract idea of rural America while politely abstaining or clapping with resigned deference during red meaty portions intended for Fox News. Capping the event was an act of theatrical defiance by Rep. Nancy Pelosi that will in all likelihood be forgotten within twenty-four hours.