The unrighteousness of some of the leaders allowed for the Lamanite aggression. Moroni is remembering that many of the kingmen were the judges, and the high-born among the people. As Moroni refocuses on the current needs, he wonders what might have caused the delays in sending reinforcements and provisions.
His first answer is that Pahoran and others are “traitors to [their] country.” That is harsh, and perhaps could only be said by a general with a large army behind him. Moroni backs away somewhat from calling Pahoran a traitor, and suggests that perhaps it is only that he is so far from the conflict that he has simply forgotten the armies’ needs because he is not in need. It is still a condemnation, but not as severe as calling the political leader a traitor.