Most the players in this mess are high level government operatives with extensive counterintelligence experience. That's why counterintelligence operations are supposed to be reserved for our foreign enemies. Russia, Venezuela, Syria, North Korea, Iran, etc.....
Counterintelligence operatives are not supposed to be practicing their craft on Americans, which now seems to be their central focus. They have also enlisted the state media into their counterintelligence toolbox.
Indeed, what they did domestically was criminal.
Can somebody please tell them that? (/s)