It’s not supposed to exonerate anyone. It’s supposed to evaluate the testimony of Ford, and determine if there is enough credible evidence from her testimony that could be used to pursue charges. There wasn’t, because her answers weren’t consistent between what she told the reporter, what she wrote in her letter, what was in her therapist’s notes, and what she testified to. It basically shows that because Ford’s statements have change repeatedly, and because there is no corroborating witnesses, that her allegations don’t rise to a prosecutorial level.
You are completely correct. Hofts headline that the report COMPLETELY EXONERATES is total BS.