There’s a recurring ritual in American politics that never gets old. A prominent liberal figure — usually one dragging a spectacularly checkered history behind them — climbs atop a soapbox to lecture the rest of us about “norms,” “decency,” and the sacred dignity of our institutions. The hypocrisy is always staggering. The complete absence of self-awareness? Even more so.

It happens every single time President Trump does something bold or unconventional with the People’s House. The same cast of characters assembles — aging celebrities, cable news scolds, politicians whose best days vanished decades ago — all wagging their fingers at an America that stopped taking them seriously long ago. But this past Sunday, one critic in particular really should have kept quiet.

From Fox News:

Hillary Clinton’s criticism of President Donald Trump’s White House UFC event drew swift backlash from conservatives, who accused the former first lady of selective outrage by invoking scandals from her and her husband’s time at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

Clinton, who lost to Trump in 2016, first slammed the UFC idea last month before posting Sunday that the White House is “not his house” but “our house,” while promoting merchandise benefiting groups and candidates she said would “respect the form AND the function of the people’s house.”

That’s right. Hillary Clinton — of all the people on planet Earth — decided to scold Donald Trump about respecting the White House. And she did it while hawking hats, coasters, and stickers. Nothing says “sacred institution” quite like a $25 drink accessory.

The backlash was immediate and merciless. Rep. Tim Burchett of Tennessee didn’t mince words: “They literally rented out the Lincoln Bedroom and don’t forget Bill’s activity in the Oval Office. The vandalism that went on when you left was also well-documented.” Hard to argue with that one. Judicial Watch’s Tom Fitton twisted the knife further: “Woman who stole White House furniture has something to say about ‘our house.'” The official Republican Party account offered the most generous counsel available, simply suggesting Clinton “sit this one out.”

A glass house with no windows

The most devastating response, though, came from someone who witnessed the Clinton White House firsthand. Retired Lt. Col. Buzz Patterson carried the nuclear football for President Bill Clinton. He saw it all up close for two years. And he held absolutely nothing back.

Patterson reminded Clinton that her husband received sexual favors from an intern in the Oval Office. That he groped enlisted Air Force crew on Air Force One. That he managed to lose the nuclear codes. Let that last one sink in for a moment.

And when the Clintons finally departed in 2001? They trashed the place. A Government Accountability Office investigation confirmed it — roughly $15,000 in documented damage. The GAO concluded that some of the “pranks” were clearly intentional, which would constitute criminal acts. Then-Rep. Bob Barr said the Clinton team treated the building “worse than college freshmen checking out of their dorm rooms.” Charming legacy for someone now peddling coasters about institutional respect.

Grift first, virtue second

Here’s what makes Clinton’s post genuinely insulting. This wasn’t some heartfelt defense of presidential dignity. It was a fundraising pitch wrapped in moral outrage. She limited replies on the post, too — a tell if there ever was one. Even Hillary knew the ratio was coming.

Meanwhile, the event that so scandalized her? UFC Freedom 250 celebrated America’s 250th anniversary, drew thousands of enthusiastic Americans to the South Lawn, and survived a frivolous lawsuit that a judge swiftly tossed. Patriotic, populist, and wildly entertaining. Exactly the kind of thing that makes Washington insiders lose sleep.

The White House has endured plenty over its 226 years. It survived a British invasion. It survived the Clinton era — the scandals, the vandalism, the furniture that walked itself out the front door. A UFC octagon on the South Lawn won’t leave a scratch. Perhaps before her next lecture on respecting the People’s House, Mrs. Clinton should check whether all the silverware made it back.

Key Takeaways

• Hillary Clinton criticized Trump’s UFC event while simultaneously selling merchandise in the same post.
• Conservatives highlighted the Clintons’ own documented history of misconduct and damage inside the White House.
• A GAO investigation confirmed intentional vandalism when the Clintons departed the White House in 2001.
• UFC Freedom 250 celebrated America’s 250th anniversary and drew thousands of patriotic spectators.

Sources: Fox News, Yahoo News