"Our enemy is generally al Qaeda, and they want these wars to continue," Ellsberg said. "The people who give comfort to the enemy are the people who sent troops there and are keeping the cost of the war from the people. Bradley Manning is acting in the interest of the United States and against the interest of our enemy al Qaeda."
"There's a campaign here against whistleblowing that's actually unprecedented in legal terms," Ellsberg said.
Manning is expected to remain in solitary confinement under a prevention of injury (POI) order until his court martial hearings begin. Manning's attorney, David Coombs, has previously said that the order goes against the recommendations of mental health professionals and is "unduly harsh or punitive in nature."
"There was a point at which he was almost catatonic in nature," said David House, a friend of Manning's who visited Quantico in January. House said the conditions reflect that the "US government wants him to crack ahead of his trial."
The Pentagon called the allegations of mistreatment "blatantly false."
The Quantico Marine Corps base released a statement outlining Manning's treatment, including that he is "allowed to converse with other detainees as long as the conversation does not interfere with good order and discipline" and that he is "issued adequate bedding."
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