FWIW, "Apologist" is perhaps not quite so strong a word as you think:
"a person who argues to defend or justify some policy or institution"
"Apologists are authors, writers, editors of scientific logs or academic journals, and leaders known for taking on the points in arguments, conflicts or positions that are either placed under popular scrutinies or viewed under persecutory examinations."
"One who makes an apology; One who speaks or writes in defense of a faith, a cause, or an institution."
It doesn't imply that there's anything to "apologise" for in the usual sense: it means "to defend" or "argue for".
That may be the definition of the word, but look how it is used in mainstream usage. It is typically used to describe someone who is defending something that is not usually defended. Such as Nazi Apologist, Hamas Apologist, Stalin Apologist, etc. You don't hear anyone using the phrase "Clean Air Apologist", do you?
