So it’s worse than what the pundits are portraying.
Nobody should draw conclusions from anyone who exercises their constitutional rights. Assumptions should be made about the people who are trying to deny one's constitutional rights.
That's why judges say that you cannot assume guilt when someone exercises their 5th amendment right to remain silent.
The obligation is on the government to prove guilt, it is not on the defendant to cooperate with the government. Just because someone is innocent doesn't mean they should rely on the honor and good graces of the government actors to not abuse their authority in their own quest for a win.
-PJ