I don't have to imagine since MSM was all over the "leak" that claimed Trump insulted the troops a few weeks ago,

I think I've figured this out now. Not only "accuse your enemy of what you yourself are guilty of" but especially do it if there's physical evidence of your guilt that has or will be uncovered. The first to accuse usually get's the upper hand by the splashy accusation and headlines, and the innocent party is left to run around trying not only to prove their innocence but to convince everyone that it was actually the other guy who was guilty the whole time. The optics on that are bad. A big chunk of people will NEVER hear follow up, and will never believe it even if they do because "guilt" has already been assigned and imprinted in their brains.

I don't know why it's taken me so long to figure this out. Now when I see accusations with no physical proof I'll probably ignore it and go looking at what the accuser has been up to.