I'm not blaming Bongino or Patel for any of this. This blame gets repeated constantly now.

I assume they are operating under orders from the very top.

At worst they're stooges and accomplices, at best they are being told what to say under duress.

Given their body English when confronted by the Fox reporter a month ago or so I say they are under duress to suppress the dirt. In fact they both looked terrified or under serious stress.