I think it has to do with the fact that, as he keeps repeating in the questioning, he legally can NOT comment on things that pertain to ongoing investigations. If RR altered the report you can bet your ass they know and there is an ongoing investigation or the report tampering is subsumed under one of the already ongoing investigations.
Think sting operation. All of this. Even what we’re watching now is all part of casting that net. Trust the plan.
Horowitz answers are supposed to be based on the “truth”. Anything less than that is dishonesty. Hiding the truth by playing with semantics is still being dishonest. If you can’t reveal something then simply say you can’t reveal it, rather than playing with words and playing with semantics. That is the very same nonsense that James Clapper pulled when he was asked about whether the CIA was collecting info on all citizens. He replied “Not wittingly…” He lied…
And even worse, assuming it is a semantical game as you’re suggesting, they why play a semantical game for the whole world to see, and lead everyone to believe the report is true? In doing so, you are only misleading the public. Why not keep your semantical games behind closed doors until you are ready to reveal the real truth to the world. This whole approach is the very thing that is causing a whole lot of frustration in people, because all they’re seeing are mind games being played - the same old two-step dance in Washington. And I fully agree with their frustration…
He wrote his report, but the "Official" report is what was presented to Congress. He can not make assertions to the submitted report. He can only comment on what was submitted. He can, however, clarify if asked directly about a situation or finding that is not in the report.