Science doesn’t get much respect from the Trump administration. Among other things, the administration has brushed off as unimportant the effect of burning fossil fuels on global warming, and has ignored the effect of emissions of mercury and other toxins from power plants on the environment and human health.

The first day of public hearings in the House impeachment inquiry acquainted television viewers who haven’t followed this complicated story with two realities.

WASHINGTON — “It’s not as outlandish as it could be.”

A cluster of suburban Philadelphia counties and a rural South Jersey legislative district became overnight sensations last week as national political pundits painted a blue tsunami centered in Delaware County and a red glare around Cape May, mostly in shades of Donald Trump. While political prognosticators were quick to cast portents for the 2020 presidential election on these results, we think the snapshot taken last Tuesday is still developing. The only thing voters in these state, county and municipal contests may have proven is that all politics is local, and many results can be chalked up to demographic shifts throughout the region. Those shifts may also explain the most refreshing change that this election signaled: an apparent fatigue with establishment party organizations.

As the House’s impeachment inquiry enters a public phase this week, investigators have a problem. Potentially crucial witnesses, including acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney and former national security advisor John Bolton, have declined to testify. Mulvaney, who remains director of the Office of Management and Budget, failed to show up for a scheduled deposition Friday despite having been served with a subpoena.