The paper said they're running it now because they don't want to wait until it's confirmed and then get pushback for saying anything mean like happened after Graham passed.
It exooriates Mitch for his role in SCOTUS and enabling Trump 2.0 by not using his influence to push for a conviction in his 2nd impeachment
An aside, Seth Myers of all people made a good point about the proof of life photo on Mitch. Who believes he was healthy enough to be in jeans, and yet still hasn't been allowed to go home?