Celebrating the release of Chinese journalist Fang Bin

Fang Bin was one of many journalists and whistleblowers detained during COVID-19

Government-led attacks can be the most dangerous types of retaliation because corrupt officials can and do use their positions of authority to exact revenge on those who expose them.

Nixon’s people tried to poison Vietnam whistleblower Daniel Ellsberg with LSD before a major speech at a peace conference. The intent wasn’t to kill him, but rather to make him seem crazy. They also ransacked his psychiatrist’s office, charged him with treason, and tried to “assassinate” him in the press.

"They used to say nobody got hurt in Watergate," Ellsberg told NBC News in 2017. "That was not because they didn't try."

Donald Trump targeted Ukraine whistleblower Alexander Vindman, removing him and his twin brother from their positions and engaging in a targeted harassment and defamation campaign against the decorated Lt. Colonel, who has been awarded 15 medals for his service, including a Purple Heart.

The extreme lengths governments will go to silence those who threaten their power might be best summari…