New York Times
A Sunday edition of the New York Times in 1971 headlined, “Vietnam Archive: Pentagon Study Traces 3 Decades of Growing U.S. Involvement.” Better known as the “Pentagon Papers,” the government tried to obstruct any publication about this top secret confidential study resulting in a newfound hostile relationship between the U.S. government and the press. A federal judge in New York issued a restraining order against the Times, making it the first time in history a publication was halted due to national security concerns. The case quickly made its way to the Supreme Court.
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Daniel Ellsberg
Daniel Ellsberg is an American activist, former United States military analyst, and former strategic analyst for the RAND Corporation. Ellsberg was involved in a highly classified study known as the “Pentagon Papers,” a study of U.S. political and military involvement in Vietnam from 1945 to 1967. He became opposed to the war and felt the material in the study needed to be made available to the American people. He released the “Pentagon Papers” to The New York Times and other newspapers. He was charged under the Espionage Act of 1917 along with other charges of theft and conspiracy. Charges were later dismissed after discovering the government had obtained evidence against him illegally.
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Cornelius "Neil" Mahoney Sheehan
Cornelius "Neil" Mahoney Sheehan is an American journalist and the reporter that received the “Pentagon Papers” from Daniel Ellsberg. After the government halted any further publication of the “Pentagon Papers” the issue would land itself in the Supreme Court. His publication of the Pentagon Papers investigation was a result of New York Times v. United States, a turning point for First Amendment decisions.
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Richard Milhous Nixon
Richard Milhous Nixon (January 9, 1913 - April 22, 1994) was the 37th President of the United States. He was in office during the “Pentagon Papers” scandal. President Nixon became concerned that the publication of the Pentagon Papers would compromise U.S. intelligence and diplomatic relationships. In fear of compromising relationships with other nations, President Nixon ordered the Justice Department to prevent further publication of the New York Times.