This makes sense if your analysis is of bureaucrats and the administrative state. But it doesn't explain why individual, elected representatives wouldn't be unable to express a respect for the release of true-yet-damning information.

Why do you assume the politicians or their parties didn't already know most of what is going even if unofficially? Politicians are around for a while usually and political parties stick around even longer. They also often want to ensure they get a nice cushy post-retirement gig somewhere. Damning yourself is generally not a good move.

My government is far worse, but it doesn't grandstand in public hearings the way the US Congress does.