simply think that many of the folks behind FTV are for whatever reason operating in bad faith

Why?

And by the way, even if that's true (which I haven't seen an indication for personally), their critique is still correct. The squad refuses to use their leverage, refuses to take up a leadership role in the social struggle (which they have to do, given their position) and are in material effect no different than general democrats accept for the fact that their refusal to act is demoralising for the left.