It could have done an even better job of putting it aside by not even mentioning it at all.

Instead we're all sitting here talking about it instead of the technical reasons.

so far we know of 1 branch, in 1 thread, on the entire internet, "talking about it instead"

If they had not mentioned github's association with ICE, then we'd be in a situation where everyone would be questioning whether or not the relationship had anything to do with the decision.

Which is totally fine

they saw an opportunity for bait and you took it