I'm struggling with this discussion because the term "Officials" is being used to describe an assortment of individuals at different levels, with different functions, and very different levels of authority as a single group.
Event officials (Umpire, Starter, Clerk, etc.) perform their function (Umpire reported a violation observed); then the Referee decides to act (or not) based upon the written report and video evidence. Once this happens, the event results are announced and the 30 minute protest period begins. (This was when Gregorek is listed initially, but McNamara is out.)
If a protest is filed (had to be one for McNamara to get back in), an entirely separate group, the Jury of Appeals, considers everything and decides if an action is appropriate. The Referee would not (and should not) consult with the Jury in advance to find out what the members of that group want, so the process followed in the race was the one established.