Hobble

"They were hobbling America."
My understanding is that whoever they are, they were maligning America.
However, when looking at the definitions of the word, I can't seem to make a connection between them and my inference:
–verb (used without object)
1. to walk lamely; limp.
2. to proceed irregularly and haltingly: His verses hobble with their faulty meters.
–verb (used with object)
3. to cause to limp: His tight shoes hobbled him.
4. to fasten together the legs of (a horse, mule, etc.) by short lengths of rope to prevent free motion.
5. to impede; hamper the progress of.

<<My understanding is that whoever they are, they were maligning America.>>

No, my understanding would be that they are impeding, hindering or crippling America. Context would help, though.

You're right, darn it. I just looked up the context.
"He had quickly learned that many newspapers had far more pride in their circulation than they did in their patriotism. That they were hobbling America and empowering her terrorist enemies made absolutely no difference to them."
Thanks.