misdirection, n.All

Misdirection (n.) is ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠the pickpocket's trick the government-media complex favors: caught with a hand in someone's pocket, shout "Thief, thief!" and point elsewhere while you flee.

Misdirection (n.) works ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠even when exposed: if the charges are later discredited, they have still done their job of burying the real scandal.