i wonder how we got to this position and where it will end
When people start borrowing from the Junta's Playbook, things don't usually go well.
Look at history. Squash dissenters, lable them pariahs and make it hard/impossible for them to speak, speak to each other, proffer their arguments in public, disagree with/criticise the better funded, the more powerful and the sacred..... those deemed revolting, often start revolting. With pointy sticks and more.
This happens when tipping point is reached where The Truth is deeply unconvincing to the majority of the masses and the constant pressure of self censure for the sake of personal ability to earn/liberty/safety becomes unbearable.
Why people think they are so clever that they can afford to borrow tactics that historically end up in a Backlash Tsunami, but expect different results, I don't know. Dunning-Kruger syndrome ? Arrogance on steroids ?
Having said that, having read your BBC link, this person's contribution to the report seems to be mostly trying to justify stuff they said/did. So... not inclined to take the wail of "threats" at face value.
A totally transparent strategy is becoming ever more common, portray oneself as The Victim as a shield against being accountable for your own behaviour. This started in the 80s and has got worse with age.