If many of your friends are in jail and under investigation then it would be reasonable for people to suspect you of similar behavior or at least knowing about it. If your friends are saying they are protecting you or your interests; then the suspicion would logically be more intense. As adults and citizens we have a duty to seek the truth and act on it. Ideology should never push us to support lies or liars. Jesus told us that the truth would set us free – we all need to follow his guidance and protect our republic by supporting the pursuit of truth.