"And not one of them raised an alarm? Not one of them even considered the idea that, "hey, this looks bad even though we're blameless"?"
I was just following orders. I'm low-level. No need to bite the hand that feeds me. Etc., etc.
Aid, comfort, paychecks, bonuses, pensions, perks to domestic enemies and their enablers/wannabees/underlings/second-handers/see-hear-speak no evil weaklings never defined or envisioned by the founders.
NOW is their opportunity to come clean.
Following orders.
And it conforms to their worldview.
Similar tactics have been used on the KKK and other groups. This is just an extension.