I fail to see how that would have made him a "true patriot". Actually, fleeing the unjust wrath of a tyrannical government is about the most American quality there is. In any case, due to the Whistleblower Protection Act he broke no law.
I don't see how fleeing tyranny is more American than standing and fighting it.
Because this was one of the main reasons why the former immigrants (maybe even your ancestors if you're an american) had chosen America - they fled from tyranny or whatever other problem instead of doing something about it.