The fact is that when this Rebbe Yehuda was in middle of getting his Semicha, he had to run off because a Roman soldier spotted him. The one giving the Semicha was killed on the spot.
You are deciding pro or con based on certain facts. But the Gemara’s title Malchus Harish’a is not bestowed on just anyone. This is the attitude that Chazal actually portray, not what is assumed based on some event or another.
The Medrash Tanchuma relates that when Rebbe Yehuda Hanasi was in Rome and one of his sons was impressed by the Roman soldiers, the other son showed him some fruit flies in the market and remarked that they are worth the same. When the first son told this over to Rebbe Yehuda Hanasi, he replied that the flies are worth more, for they actually fulfill their purpose. Now, that’s from Antoninus’ great friend.