Incriminating is adjective which means that something is likely to lead to a criminal charge. This could be anything from a conversation that you have with someone to a piece of evidence that you find.
rationalizations are excuses that people use to explain why they did something that they know is not good or fair. They might say things like "I was just following orders" or "It's not my fault."
To exonerate someone means to prove them innocent of a crime. This can be a difficult task, and it often requires a lot of evidence.
To be disloyal is to be disloyal to your country or to your leader. Someone who is disloyal might go against their government or their leader.
When someone is defensive, they are usually trying to protect themselves or their beliefs. They may be angry or hostile, and they may not want to listen to what others have to say.
Tribalism is a type of loyalty that is found among groups of people. It is often based on things like race, religion, or culture.
An anecdote is a short story that is about a personal experience. These stories are usually written from the point of view of the person who experienced the event, and they are often amusing.