This whole thing reminds me of "Patton"
Patton is talking to the press, when they point out that Patton is using former Nazis, which went against the "Denazification" policy.
Patton basically told them, "Look, find me someone who knows how to run things and I'll use them."
Then the press basically put words into Patton's mouth to the extent of that joining the Nazi Party was no different than joining the Republicans or Democrats. Then the next thing you know, it's "Patton equates Nazis to Republicans and Democrats."
Career over.