Daniel Ellsberg, the former military analyst who caused a national political controversy when he released the Pentagon Papers in 1971, told HuffPost Live host Ahmed Shihab-Eldin Tuesday that Bradley Manning is a hero for allegedly giving the website WikiLeaks thousands of classified diplomatic cables about the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

Bradley Manning was arrested by the military and charged with a number of offenses -- including "aiding the enemy" -- and could receive a life sentence. His defense attorney, David E. Coombs, has argued Manning should be released because his treatment prior to trial was unlawful.

Coombs has also said President Barack Obama's position on protecting government whistleblowers is hypocritical, a sentiment echoed by HuffPost Live segment guest Michael Ratner, president emeritus of the Center for Constitutional Rights, who was present as Manning's recent hearing.

Ellsberg's release of top-secret information related to the Vietnam War exposed former President Lyndon Johnson's administration in a series of lies to the public and to Congress, among other things.