You’re right about “let Joe be Joe” he will garble all on his own, and evade about his involvement with Hunter’s (and his) money laundering.
And when confronted about it, he will either clam up or do an angry rant, neither of which will help him any.
The garble, clam-up, and anger have all manifested in the last week or so.
Why can't we just call it bribery?