I believe everyone is afraid. Mess with this administration some alphabet bureau will come after you. IRS, OSHA, FBI...they will find some way to intimidate you and/or persecute or prosecute.
Fear is an understandable emotion. If New Yorker did not make a commentary of any kind on the surveillance scandal, that would be a reasonable reaction to fear by a coward in an unfortunate line of work. Here, however, we have an attempt to lick the boot. That is revolting. Moreover, honest people, even when gripped with fear, do not mount a provocateur effort to catch those who overcame their fear.