He is being pretty vague there. It could be any number of things in the orbit of anti-russia pressuring. That could include the feds pressuring legally, but it could also be many other less direct things or even a personal political decision.
They are being cagey.
That’s true. I’m more inclined of the idea that he is just trying to avoid conflict to focus on the development.
That’s a common idea that I see in this type of people.
Is that type of person, “asshole”? That seems to be the entirety of Linus’ personality, such as it is.