I think the government and media would create a "firebreak" in the narrative. Meaning, they would probably admit that some segment of the government was responsible but nothing that would imply some broader indictment of our system of governance. Only concede enough so Americans can sleep at night knowing everything is still basically ok.

You already see this in how Americans blame "faulty intelligence" as the casus belli for the invasion. No no, Bush wasn't lied to or pushed for fake intel to justify invading Iraq, it's just the CIA did an oopsie doopsie. Those brave men and women in the intelligence community did their gosh darn best but got this one a little wrong, is all. No one to blame...