US Attorney General Eric Holder announced today that he has authorized “significant actions” by the Justice Department related to the investigation of WikiLeaks for possible criminal charges.

“National security of the United States has been put at risk,” insisted Holder, adding “The American people themselves have been put at risk by these actions that I believe are arrogant, misguided and ultimately not helpful in any way.”

WikiLeaks has released nearly 1,000 State Department cables, revealing criminal behavor by officials up to and including Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Holder made no comments suggesting any action would be taken against any officials for these crimes, and the Justice Department has never indicated that there is even an investigation related to the crimes, above and beyond the one against WikiLeaks for making the crimes known to the public.

Officials have been calling for a myriad of actions against WikiLeaks, including drone strikes, but it is unclear at best if the organization has committed any crimes, and the US Supreme Court has previously vindicated the right of private media outlets to leak embarrassing government secrets that are in the interest of the American public. While it does not appear that officials are deterred by the actual law regarding whistleblowers, the ability to successfully charge WikiLeaks associates remains questionable.