No matter what the mistake, their default response is to offer an excuse rather than take responsibility for an error.

无论犯下什么样的错误，这类人的第一反应就是找出各种借口，而不是去承担责任。

youdao

So putting the potential responsibility for a default solely on the president is completely disingenuous.

CNN: Our stupid self-inflicted debt crisis

The President took the seriousness of that threat -- took that threat very seriously, and it was absolutely his responsibility to ensure that we did not default, for the first time in our history, on our obligations.

WHITEHOUSE: Press Briefing