It is never okay, but the rest of the world (and sensible Americans) sees it as hypocritical when the land of the free does it.

The US government should just go ahead and say it like it is: they'd like to hold as much power as the Chinese government does, and they're taking the steps to do so.

The American oligarchy feels threatened because the empire is crumbling under their feet, so they're finally taking their masks off.