@thomasfuchs At this point, I don't think anything matters to them anymore. Being loyal matters more than who you're being loyal TO.
ESPECIALLY given that the right-wing media has been preparing heavily for this by downplaying his actions, downplaying the charges, questioning the integrity of the judge, etc.
It's like a version of the narcissist's prayer: "He didn't do it, but if he did, it wasn't so bad, and if it was, who he did it to wasn't important, and if they were, it had to be done."