He did the right thing. Punish him.

So now, the administration is trying to keep anybody from coming forward. In a rather brilliant - but transparent - looking-glass maneuver, anyone who comes forward with damaging information will face prosecution. The grounds? They didn't come forward sooner.

Message: "If you don't want to get in trouble - keep your mouth shut."

Military Takes Action Against Key Witness in Abu Ghraib Abuse Scandal.

A witness who told ABCNEWS he believed the military was covering up the extent of abuse at Iraq's Abu Ghraib prison was today stripped of his security clearance and told he may face prosecution because his comments were "not in the national interest."

Sgt. Samuel Provance said in addition to his revoked security clearance, he was transferred to a different platoon, and his record was officially "flagged," meaning he cannot be promoted or given any awards or honors.

Provance said he was told he will face administrative action for failing to report what he knew at the time and for failing to take steps to stop the abuse.

"I see it as an effort to intimidate Sgt. Provance and any other soldier whose conscience is bothering him, and who wants to come forward and tell what really happened at Abu Ghraib," said his attorney Scott Horton.