Think "mirror" or "projection." Any anti-Trumper who has never run for political office who is doing so now, will be using it as a defence when the hammer falls. Calling it a political attack. Using optics as a weapon.

https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2018/07/04/stormy-lawyer-michael-avenatti-if-trump-runs-2020-i-will-run/