The U.S. attorney for D.C. is accusing Wikipedia of “propaganda” and threatening its nonprofit status. Ed Martin is keeping Operation Whirlwind alive and well.

The U.S. attorney for D.C. is accusing Wikipedia of “propaganda” and threatening its nonprofit status. Ed Martin is keeping Operation Whirlwind alive and well.

What is Operation Whirlwind?

Operation Whirlwind refers to a coordinated effort to create chaos and fear across key sectors especially nonprofits, media, and education without needing full legal battles. Just the threat of government action is often enough to make organizations censor themselves or lose critical support.

The strategy includes:

- Attacking nonprofit organizations particularly those promoting free information, civil rights, or academic freedom by trying to strip their 501(c)(3) protections.

- Flooding media and education spaces with accusations of “bias,” “propaganda,” or “treason” to justify censorship or funding cuts.

- Weaponizing government agencies like the Justice Department and IRS to launch audits, investigations, or legal threats against targeted groups.

- Using public smear campaigns to turn public opinion against institutions like universities, news outlets, museums and now, Wikipedia.

Where did the name come from?

The name “Operation Whirlwind” originally refers to a Soviet military operation during World War II.

In 1945, near the end of the war, the Soviet Union launched Operation Whirlwind (Operatsiya Uragan) to rapidly seize control of Budapest, Hungary. It was a fast, brutal campaign designed to overwhelm the defenders with speed, chaos, and overwhelming force before they could organize resistance.

Operation Whirlwind in the past wasn’t well organized. Today, Americans are fighting back because they aren’t being kept in the dark. Unlike before, times have changed information is everywhere, and the truth is our weapon against this administration. That’s why we keep explaining, no matter what.

Alt National Park Service