Power is power. Any challenge to that power can be seen as something that needs to be punished. [Though Bellamy had only truly seen this when Raven had been framed for attempting to poison the Commander, Lincoln had not been surprised by the treatment there. That had been a different situation altogether, where it was a shaky alliance that could easily be broken, but Gustus' actions there were born from a society that couldn't risk weakness.

Being challenged made someone weak.

Of course, this is just one of many things about the society he's from that he doesn't agree with. An outsider doesn't necessarily make them into an enemy, and people can and should risk trusting others, and doing right by them. It makes them better people, rather than giving in to their monstrous natures. (Because all can be monsters, even these administrators. With the power vested to them, they definitely can.)]

If they didn't mind the challenge you posed, it's promising. [He considers his previous thoughts, and after a moment, decides to share them.] For what they offer us, and what they're capable of, we know that they could be doing far worse here. Their city needs our help, but they aren't faced by the same limitations as Mount Weather.

[And they can simply have someone go home who doesn't comply, or doesn't want to be there. Like Octavia did.]