I don't think it's necessarily double speak. He agrees he screwed up, but doesn't necessarily agree the punishment fits the crime.
To make an analogy, let's say you got caught speeding. You agree you got caught speeding. "Officer, I was speeding. I accept responsibility and will take the ticket".
He then hands you a ticket for $10,000 and throws you in jail for a week.
Extreme example, but you can accept responsibility without agreeing that the punishment fits the crime.