I've lingered long enough as an observer that I can actually speak on that.
Of course he defended his brother, but it's more complex than that - circa Sue "Ride The" Lightning revelations, Ant threatened the sub, and Joe went along with it. So, in the eyes of the pests, I think that made him fair game. If you try to Fuck with what we have, we will Fuck with what YOU have.
I'm not going to say it's right or wrong - I'll just say it's funny. I will say, though, it's a goddamn confusing bloody mess when you walk into our home, hat in hand, being to have us lay off (which I think we did), only to then turn around like a low I.Q. Harry Palmer and "infiltrate" the sub, as DOXXER100 and "16 don't know dick about Internet", to try and see if he can shut us down from the inside.
I still look back confused on those attempts, wondering where he thought he could outsmart rascals who landed him on The People's Court.