seem to be blaming the big, bad US government for not giving them prompt updates on their precious little Johny's condition, and immediate access to him?

I would recomend that the government carefully explain to John Walker's parents that they have generously arranged for Johny's excellent adventure, his voyage of self-discovery, to continue unabated through a fascinating military court trial rich in personal meaning and in fact expressly designed for planning Johny's life path, even including the possibility of an extended, and exciting, all expenses paid excursion to a renowned US federal site of incarceration.