People pick sides because of their own reasons, and good or bad, they usually feel they are doing it for valid, moral and ethical purposes. But if you watch people's behavior, you will note they usually make the moral and ethical choices which personally benefit them the most. This doesn't mean people are necessarily evil, very often they sincerely believe what they do is right. But when you have a stake in something, you tend to see the side of the issue that suits your prejudices, and when you are engaged in a partisan struggle with ideological opposites, it is natural to be super-critical of your opponents and overly forgiving of your allies. It also colors your judgement about your own actions.

So we must forgive our opponents for their mistakes, and respect them for their convictions if they are genuine. (There are always criminals who have no convictions other than self-interest). Howver, we also have every right to make our own moral choices and to dispute theirs. The same goes for the practical decisions we both have to make to advance our moral choices. People often do the wrong things for the right reasons, and vice versa. Look at my posts, my positions, where I stand on issues. I don't claim to be non-partisan, or perfectly middle of the road, and I don't claim to be right, or even morally correct. But I do know I want to be that way, and I'm determined to try.

To answer your specific question, it is possible that both sides of this debate are partially correct and that the truth (whatever that is) is somewhere in between. The point is, how do we find that middle point? It is also possible that one side, or even both, is very wrong and refuses to change its position for fear of being identified with their opponent's philosophy.

It is my opinion that the present administration made terrible mistakes while trying to do what they thought was right, and that now they cannot admit it to themselves or to anyone else because it would mean they would lose the moral high ground they believe they are entitled to occupy, that they deserve. I believe that they have become incapable of distinguishing between the truth and their own version of the world, and that they are unable to objectively evaluate the results of their actions because to do so might threaten the validity of their motives. They cannot bear to say "I'm wrong." because, in their minds, that is equivalent to saying "I'm evil."

This is not a left/right thing. Liberals can make the same mistake, it's just that in this case, it's the conservatives, and they are not only wrong, they are in power.