Technically that veteran had no authorization to commit a war crime (or murder) regardless of what he was ordered to do.
So, I say: "why not both?"

But what if Fox says Dems don't support the troops? What then, Bill? Check and mate.

I'll go further and say the terms "credible" and "fair" have no meaning for him. They are just tools a narcissist uses for manipulation. There is no "appeasement" or "placating". There is only submission.