Expand the thought.
POTUS does not control the cabal but forces them to play hand early saving millions of lives.
Now he is dealing with massive brainwashing and knows those who were going to take it have taken it, he respects them by saving it was ok… it was done in media induced fear and there was nothing anybody could do to stop it not even the President. He also cannot alienate those acted out of fear or ignorance, and balanced it with the qualification that freedom must prevail which is an effort to bring a divided nation together.
It surprised me to see him admit to taking it, but disinformation is necessary when at war.