> Trump often accuses people of treason, and yet there have been no convictions of people he has accused.

In Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD), it's quite common to see Projection.

simplypsychology.org - Narcissistic projection

Basically those with NPD attribute their own misdeeds and shortcomings to others instead of themselves.

> is likely trying to minimize the offense

Could be. They may or may not have conscious purpose to what they are doing, in my experience it seems almost a reflexive action to them, because they will do it in private 1 on 1s just as much as they do it in public.

As someone who has suffered at the hands of narcissists for far too many years, I find it helpful to remember this phrase, when they're screaming the most absurd lies about you right into your face:

**"Every accusation is a confession"**

It's particularly useful to know that phrase if you have an NPD partner that starts inexplicably screaming that you're cheating on them or stealing from them. But it's also helpful to know if you are choosing someone to run the most powerful country in the world.