Consider also that there were people in the Red Army that were previously in the White Army.

Being in the Red Army is not equivalent to being a Senator. You don't fuck up and then go into politics and seek out a leadership position as a "second chance." That's not forgiveness, that's just failing to hold politicians accountable and letting powerful people get away with shit.

Humility is a requirement of forgiveness and seeking public office is in complete contradiction to that. You want forgiveness, go volunteer at a soup kitchen or some shit. Don't fuck up and then immediately go, "I think I deserve to be invested with power."