Were they irrational and ‘delusional’
or Desperate to cover massive lawbreaking?
Both. It's not like they didn't know they were breaking the law. It's just that they thought they were justified. When Obama said:
"They get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations."
he was at that one instant being honest about what he thinks about the country and where it should be headed. It's highly arrogant and delusional to look down your nose at people this way, but he, and those he surrounded himself with actually believe they are morally and intellectually superior to these people - and thus feel justified in skirting the law in order to 'transform America'.