Well, I disagree with it being rhetorical, and with your answer. 🙂
Some people are apologetic with literal Nazis, and knowing what are their reasons, works as early warning red flags, or to nip an argument in the bud. The same happens with abusers: some people are apologetic of them (even their victims!), and knowing the reasons for the behavior, can help spot them and react before it’s too late.
I have some first hand experience with abusers, victims, acquaintances… and I’ve made the mistake of falling for the excuses made by all of them for the abusers’ behaviors, letting the abuse grow over time. They always grow over time, you could say that they “self-radicalize”, until some breaking point… which sometimes is the death of the victim. It’s much better for everyone to identify the early signs, and cut them hard.