While not _as_ "entirely unreasonable" as what the state is actually doing -- and I think we should be clear, that, as you say, the state is doing way worse and

While not _as_ "entirely unreasonable" as what the state is actually doing -- and I think we should be clear, that, as you say, the state is doing way worse and trying to prevent researchers from testifying on any matters at all... I'm not totally sure it's actually reasonable for a government to withhold data from researchers because they think it might be used against them in a lawsuit either. Is that a valid reason for a government institution to withhold data? Perhaps a court case will end up establishing that the broader thing is in fact unreasonable under the first ammendment too, perhaps this is a good "test case" being even so much more egregious, you always want an especially egregious case.