RIP Daniel Ellsberg: 'Most Dangerous Man in America' on Leaking Pentagon Papers, Exposing Gov't Lies

We remember the life and legacy of Pentagon Papers whistleblower Daniel Ellsberg, who died Friday at the age of 92, just months after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. In 1971, Daniel Ellsberg, then a top military strategist working for the RAND Corporation, risked life in prison by secretly copying and then leaking 7,000 pages of top-secret documents outlining the secret history of the U.S. War in Vietnam. The leak would end up helping to take down President Nixon, accelerate the end of the War in Vietnam and lead to a major victory for press freedom. Henry Kissinger once called Ellsberg “the most dangerous man in America.” Over the past 50 years, Ellsberg remained an antiwar and anti-nuclear activist who inspired a new generation of whistleblowers. We mark his death with excerpts from some of our interviews with Ellsberg over the years about Vietnam, as well as Ukraine, tensions with China, the threat of nuclear war and working toward a more honest discourse about U.S. policy. “To this day, the very idea that the U.S. is … an empire is a taboo, and a very unfortunate one, because it makes it impossible to understand what’s going on,” Ellsberg said.

[cynthialangley]

“Most dangerous man in America” was a badge of honor. Dan, thank you for being courageous and honorable. Always a gentleman and so brilliant and inspiring. Rest well, peaceful warrior. ☮️

[dannymysak]

Daniel Ellsberg was a patriotic American but he was a global hero. It is so important today to acknowledge the giant on whose shoulders we stand. We have lost many of these giants and the coverage of their passing has been a whisper.Thank you Democracy Now for honouring Mr Ellsberg and others.

[RM-ixmf]

We owe a lot to Daniel Ellsberg. We should all remember his heroism. He is legendary.

[rocioaguilera]

Most dangerous for the elite. Most courageous man in the USA
Rest in peace, courageous and brave gentleman.

[sheilalucas]

Being labeled most dangerous man in America for exposing the truth. Imagine that!

[doriwilson]

A true patriot. He knew that the Vietnam war was a lost cause.

[ChooseCompassion]

Thank you so much for honoring this extraordinary man. As an anti-war activist and anti-nuclear activist he has been a guiding light for me for the last 55 years. His loss has been profound for me.
And it’s infuriating to me that Kissinger is alive and Dan is gone now. 💔

[davidamaral]

And yet, evil trolls like henry kissinger still live...

[ICUHI]

Thank you for reporting on this blessings to his family.

[clairjunior]

History proved that the most dangerous man was indeed Kissinger himself.

[jo-annerichardson]

Godspeed Mr. Ellsberg. Your courage and grace will always be remembered. ❤💜

[sweetxoxobye]

A true soldier doing the right thing....rest well with the angels in heaven.

We need more soldiers like you... standing up tall with no fear and doing the right thing by any means necessary.
Unimaginable humanity....benevolence..

[dennismiller]

Too many of my friends went to Vietnam, and I was able to get an obscure medical report written by my childhood MD to give to the Army when I was drafted. With the greatest of luck, I was rejected from service, the best day of my life!.

[judithgrace]

Nothing has changed. Thank you Daniel

[Socrates]

What a tremendous loss for this beloved man who stood up for Justice and Truth!!

[andrewmacdonald]

God speed Daniel. Thank you for your courage.

[pattoneill]

Daniel Ellsberg is one of my heroes. God bless you, Daniel. You gave this corrupt government a big black eye and exposed their rot.

[flyingsnow]

My deep Respect for a guy with the Intention and power to do the right thing.
You can't protect the criminals and punish those discovering the truth. PEACE 🕊🕊

[yangmingwanli]

He was literally on his last breath and used whatever he had left to warn people about the dangers of this empire. 😢❤

[lfrost]

Many thank you's to Daniel Ellsberg and the entire family for all they did and do. You are amazing and inspirational.