You nailed it.
One thing about D.C. Beltway culture is that it possesses ZERO value for LOYALTY.
Basically you have to become a Yes Man to whomever is power in order to maintain your position and your status.
They had no fear of crossing Bush because he didn’t fight back. They know that Trump is making a list, and he’ll be checking it twice.
Four years is a long time to be frozen out of the loop.
I'd think that ONCE would be enough...