It’s all spin, with a collection of villains trying to get as much power, money and influence as possible. There’s also no shortage of villains because Americans are about “the bag” and “fuck you I got mine”, the difference in their sins is mostly due to different opportunities and not due to being rightly guided, moral people sadly led by monsters. Hopefully the corruption will weaken the empire and their collapse doesn’t end up in nukes flying all over the world but a more internal struggle as the country balkanizes.