[PKop]

That's like saying lying about the Iraq war or any other policy of national security or deep state priorities "puts their reputation and career on the line".

It is trivial to see that pushing a potentially desired position of the state/intel agencies could very well raise one's reputation and career prospects with these institutions.

The primary critique of this whole issue is that it is lies. So, why would lying in the interest of the state be bad for one's status within those circles?

Framed in this manner these people are risking absolutely nothing.