J.D. Tuccille on World War I’s Legacy of Abusive Government Power

Earlier this year, CNN’s Jake Tapper pointed out
that the Obama administration, after bringing charges against
Edward Snowden, “has used the Espionage Act more to go after
whistleblowers who leaked to journalists not just than any previous
administration, but then more than all previous administrations
combined.” The claim was subsequently endorsed by PolitiFact as
“true.” That’s a shocking use of government power to punish those
who would call government officials out for their misbehavior, but
hardly an unaccustomed role for for a law passed during World War I
and quickly used to muzzle critics of official policy.

In fact, notes J.D. Tuccille, the “war to end all wars” left a
legacy of government dominance and intrusive power in its wake that
officials still exploit, and from which the country continues to
suffer.

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