Sunday Read: Remembering Daniel Ellsberg.
Daniel Ellsberg, a former United States military analyst who blew the whistle on U.S. Government misconduct in the Vietnam War by leaking the “Pentagon Papers,” passed away on June 16, 2023 at age 92, following a bout with pancreatic cancer.
Referred to as “The Most Dangerous Man in America” by former National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger, Ellsberg’s actions marked a huge leap for informed citizenry in the U.S. and transformed our nation’s political discourse.
National Whistleblower Center (NWC) is one of many organizations whose work and mission have been impacted by Mr. Ellsberg’s bravery. In this Sunday Read, we highlight Ellsberg’s contributions to truth, honor and national safety in the United States.
Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers
Ellsberg was born in Chicago, Illinois and raised in Detroit, Michigan. A Harvard graduate with two economics degrees, he was hired by the Pentagon under then-Defense Secretary Robert McNamara in 1964 and stationed in Vietnam for two years. That experience led to his being commissioned to draft a history and analysis of the Vietnam War for the Defense Department.
In compiling “The Pentagon Papers,” Ellsberg determined in 1968 that the U.S. government was aware it could not win the Vietnam War, but proceeded to engage and cost the lives of thousands of U.S. soldiers.
While employed by the RAND Corporation, a non-partisan American nonprofit global policy think tank that is still active, Ellsberg and colleague Anthony Russo secretly photocopied the 7,000-page study. They attempted to persuade U.S. Senators to release the papers on the Senate floor, but ultimately Ellsberg decided to risk prison and leak the documents to the New York Times and Washington Post in 1971.
Ellsberg’s courage shook America to its foundations, as the papers demonstrated how five presidential administrations misled the American people about the Vietnam War, which was at the core of chaos in the country and the world at the time.
Legal Actions and Making History
After the truth about the Vietnam War was exposed, President Richard Nixon declared Ellsberg and Russon traitors and Ellsberg was charged under the Espionage Act of 1917, and charges of theft and conspiracy, carrying a total maximum sentence of 115 years in prison.
Ellsberg surrendered to the authorities on June 28, 1971. When the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the newspapers’ right to publish the articles as protected by the First Amendment, the Nixon administration brought criminal charges against Ellsberg and Russo. The trial court judge ultimately declared a mistrial in 1973, due to governmental misconduct and illegal evidence gathering, following Nixon’s attempts at discrediting Ellsberg — which included masterminding a break-in at Ellsberg’s psychiatrist’s office.
Ellsberg’s relentless telling of truth to power, which exposed the secret deeds of an “Imperial Presidency,” inspired Americans of all walks of life to forever question the previously-unchallenged pronouncements of its leaders. Many have credited Ellsberg’s disclosures as a major factor in ending the Vietnam War.
President Nixon’s attempts to silence Ellsberg would foreshadow later efforts to obstruct justice, ultimately resulting in the Watergate Scandal and President Nixon’s resignation.
An Enduring Cultural and Media Presence
Ellsberg’s internal struggle has been portrayed several times on television and on film, most recently in the 2017 film, “The Post,” and in the 2003 television movie, “The Pentagon Papers.” Ellsberg has also been the focus of several documentaries, such as the 2009 Academy Award-nominated documentary feature, “The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers” and podcasts, books, and in-depth investigations.
Ellsberg also authored his memoirs, including 2018’s The Doomsday Machine. Whistleblower Network News covered Ellsberg’s appearance at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in 2018. He responded to the question of “when should a whistleblower act?”:
“Don’t wait till the bombs are falling, or when nuclear war has already occurred in North Korea before you reveal or consider revealing estimates in the Pentagon.”
And, that:
“[T]here are secrets which should be leaked and others which can only do harm, and that it is up to the good judgment of each whistleblower to tell the difference.”
A Principled Whistleblower
Daniel Ellsberg had the courage to defy the U.S. government during a time when very limited protections were afforded to those who blew the whistle on government misconduct. The release of the “Pentagon Papers” and the Courts’ subsequent protection of Ellsberg and the press reaffirmed core American values rooted in truth. Public opinion on Ellsberg was somewhat split at the time of his trials, but it is now largely favorable. Ellsberg’s continued presence in the public eye has through continued advocacy and support for whistleblowers and anti-war stance has helped the public understand this whistleblower’s commitment to truth.
Though Ellsberg’s bravery was undeniable, the risks he took cannot be understated. As detailed by his son, Richard Ellsberg. Daniel Ellsberg did not seek legal representation before going to the press.
NWC advises whistleblowers to consult a lawyer before making moves on their own. Whistleblower protection laws are complex and vary from case to case and agency to agency. NWC has fought for improved whistleblower protections and protections for federal whistleblowers, so that fewer must take the risks Mr. Ellsberg was faced with to tell the truth and protect the public.
An Influence on National Whistleblower Day
NWC will proudly usher in National Whistleblower Day on July 27th by hosting a live event celebrating the day’s 10th anniversary on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. The day will honor whistleblowers like Daniel Ellsberg who forged an unexpected legacy by blowing the whistle. The event will also feature experts, legislators, and whistleblowers with personal and unique insights on their own experience and the importance of the event.
We celebrate National Whistleblower Day to recognize the important contributions whistleblowers have made from the first whistleblowers in 1778, to Daniel Ellsberg, and beyond. July 30th marks the first action taken to protect whistleblowers in the United States, and even predates U.S. independence. For these reasons, in addition to many others, the NWC is asking President Biden to sign an Executive Order to make July 30th a permanent National Whistleblower Day.
NWC commemorates Daniel Ellsberg life, commitment to truth and justice, and service to the U.S. people. Together we mourn the loss of this incredibly impactful whistleblower.
Support NWC
NWC fights to bolster whistleblower programs and advocate for July 30th to be declared a federally recognized National Whistleblower Day. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit our awareness building work is made possible with the support of our generous donors. Please consider donating $50 today to help us continue to educate the public on how they can impact everyone’s lives.
This story was written by Justin Smulison, a professional writer, podcaster and event host based in New York.
