I don't think I excused either case in my post, did I?
Nope. I was just projecting a response to a common argument raised against trying to monitor and/or regulate what the administration does. Common argument being "Hillary! has done and would impose measures intrusive to privacy."
And yes, I'm clear on the difference between doing so for obviously political motives vs. doing what Hoover did, which was try to save the country from Commies. The Church Committee hearings are eerily parallel with the NSA action, with a good number of Senators not wanting to "go there" out of fear of exposing a righteous government program.
I think my only point is that the line drawing isn't easy; and no matter where it's drawn, "trust" carries a commensurate measure of risk.