To mark #WorldPressFreedomDay, Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke about a "Khashoggi ban," where the US will impose visa restrictions on those acting on behalf of foreign government who suppress, harass, surveill, threaten, or harm journalists and/or their families. 
When will UC Global director David Morales and others involved in the espionage operation against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange while he was in the Ecuador embassy face restrictions?
Agents within the CIA or other US intelligence institutions conspired against Assange and WikiLeaks during the Trump administration. They engaged in activities that involved harassment, surveillance, threats, or harm to Assange and his family. Can they be banned?
Anyone who conspired to kidnap, poison, or violate the privacy rights of Assange and his family through targeted surveillance should face this ban.
On top of that, there are at least a dozen or more journalists who were targets of surveillance. Security agents searched their personal property and created dossiers. Some have testified in a Spanish case against the UC Global director.
Since none of these individuals are likely to ever face visa restrictions, the "Khashoggi ban" is clearly a political tool that will only come into play if it helps the US fuel negative headlines against China, Russia, or any other country on America's Official Enemies list.
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