apologist
n. countablen. someone who tries to defend or explain a person, group, or idea that many people think is bad or wrong. You use this word for people who make excuses for things that are usually criticized.
n. a person who defends or justifies a person, group, or idea that is widely regarded as morally or politically objectionable. Often carries a pejorative tone when used to describe those defending controversial historical figures or ideologies.
He is a well-known apologist for the old political party.
The author was criticized as an apologist for the regime, as his book focused on the state's achievements rather than its human rights abuses.
While some scholars view the philosopher as a neutral observer, others argue he was a dedicated apologist for the very system he claimed to study objectively.
From apology + -ist, from French apologiste.