Translation:
The [fill in the blank with any one of or combination of other federal agencies] have threatened them with horrific penalties should they fail to toe the line.
Not other agencies. State has made it clear jobs are imperiled for those who disclose. There is no prevention necessary with the promise of certain retribution.
We’re long past that. We’re at the point where they lie to our faces then perversely take the Fifth after months pr even years of effort finally nails them to verifiable facts.