Herblock creates a bold metaphor for the Nixon administration’s drastic actions to prevent publication of the “Pentagon Papers,” informative documents about the American role in Indo-China from World War II into the 1960s. The New York Times released parts of the papers on June 13, 1971, but halted when served a temporary restraining order obtained by Attorney General John Mitchell. The Washington Post published two installments until similarly prohibited; other papers followed suit until the Supreme Court ruled against a permanent injunction on June 30th.