Facts should no longer be admitted or confirmed, which is why they are facts. It would have been different if, for example, some disinformation campaigns had been launched afterwards in an attempt to conceal the facts. So it was accepted, but attempts were made to shift the focus onto the "traitors to the country"... with success... sad that Americans who care about Americans are being hunted by Americans globally.

They also admitted it much earlier, but without the words that actions conveyed instead.