Read this sentence from a newspaper article: The Governor rebuffed repeated requests for a statement about his alleged fraud.

Which change to the wording of this sentence would make it more neutral without changing the overall meaning?

A. The Governor refused categorically to make a statement about the unmentionable situation.

B. The Governor chose not to make a statement about his alleged fraud.

C. The Governor rebuffed repeated requests for a statement about
the unmentionable situation.

D. The Governor refused categorically to make a statement about his alleged fraud.