When a predictable negative outcome occurs, it is common to wonder whether the instigator is acting with malice or ignorance.
From my anecdotal observations, it is common for humans to initially assume malice more often than is likely to be the case.
This may have to do with the self-serving bias.
Further research should be done on these human tendencies.
If this tendency towards assuming malice does exist, then a reasonable suggestion would be to increase the burden of proof for malice in your thinking to compensate for this tendency.
Are republicans acting with malice or ignorance? What about fox news?