There is new speculation that President Trump will pardon whistleblower Edward Snowden, and a new round of calls for him to do so, after recent comments in which Trump said a lot of people don’t think Snowden got treated fairly.
Snowden leaked NSA data in 2013, and was forced to flee the country. He is now living in Russia to avoid extradition. Trump’s comments are seen by some as reflecting a “softening” view of Snowden.
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) is leading to call to pardon Snowden. This has started new calls for a pardon after a petition to outgoing President Obama failed to lead to the pardon.
Trump had previously labeled Snowden a “traitor” and called for his death. It’s not clear why he personally is changing on this issue, but this might be the first real opportunity for Snowden to return to the US after years of vilification.
“It’s not clear why he personally is changing on this issue”
Trump is perceived as “changing” because he takes no principled stand on anything. Even if somehow he pardoned Snowden, it would still be risky for Snowden to return to the US, as truth tellers are a threat to the powers that be, and that threat will simply not be tolerated by those in charge.
I would not say that . Trump has taken a principled stand on the right to life . I consider Snowden , Assange , and even Manning as great patriots for informing the American people what they need to know . Trump should be changing his mind now and then . After all the same powers that be are enemies of all four of them ,
Trump’s stand on abortion is for votes.
I have nothing against a candidate changing a stance on an issue out of actual principle, such as Ron Paul changing his stance on federal use of the death penalty (he is now opposed to it). But you are absolutely correct that Trump suddenly learned that being pro-choice was “inconvenient” when courting the evangelical vote.
Wow, I had to do a doubletake. Trump pardons Snowden and he’s got my vote. He would be vigorously condemned from both sides. Hopefully it isn’t because “in 2016 a petition was started, urging the then president, Barack Obama, to pardon Snowden” and the Don is just trying to be the anti-Obama. But what the hell, even if that were the case, I’d take it.
Gotta say Democrat insanity has me just about too that Trump lever. Bad as he is, they have been utter tyrants and seem to be promising even greater tyranny once in. Not sure if the country comes through as is under Trump, but 99.99% sure we’re cooked under President Kamala.
For the most part, every president is a little worse than the last president. And for the most part, every president is a little worse in his second term than in his first. President Biden would almost certainly just be President Trump’s second term.
I think W was better in his second term. It was hard to top his first.
He did unsuccessfully try to get a tiny bit of sanity back into the GOP’s immigration policy in his second term, but he also pulled the “surge” bullshit in Iraq. I’d say a little worse the second time around than the first time.
But the surge paled compared to the original invasion. Plus Afghanistan.
True. It’s less about the presidential choice being bad, more about the median level of tyrannical tendencies among top Democrats across the nation.
Last time they picked the absolute worst candidate running. This time they outdid themselves. They picked the worst possible candidate to run for president and my choice for the second worst possible candidate for VP. Susan Rice would have been worse by an eyelash but she wasn’t a candidate for president as were Biden and Harris.
And then ASSANGE!!!
Most definitely
Accepting a pardon from a guy who pardoned Edward Gallagher would be a betrayal.
Ummm… how do you propose keeping two of the most hated white hats in the world alive outside their present protections?
Pardons help, but for Snowden to return to the U.S. or Assange to walk free of official prison protections would be terrible risks.
General Flynn is a black hat, or at least a very grey one, and not clear of the woods yet.
Next up, Julian Assange for his outing of Hillary to enrage the liberal elite media.
Might as well make Chelsea legit also.
From 2013: “I think Snowden is a terrible threat, I think he’s a terrible traitor, and you know what we used to do in the good old days when we were a strong country? You know what we used to do to traitors, right?”
“Spies in the old days used to be executed. … There is still a thing called execution”
From 2020: “Trump said he is “not that aware of the Snowden situation,” but that people on both the left and the right are divided over the former contractor.
He wasn’t aware of a situation in which he suggested we should execute the man? Even when he talks about doing something good, he still finds a reason to lie. Either that or he’s actually more senile then Biden.
Likely just using it as a wedge issue to get Biden to have to answer to it and who will likely oppose it, driving a further wedge between him and the progressives who can’t stand him already.
Trump’s looking at his legacy now, as his Presidency enters lame duck mode.
Plus, Assange and Snowden fostered the intense political awarness that helped Trump get elected; paying them back with a pardon is the least he could do.
Also, sticking it to his enemies is probably also a motivation. Assange and Snowden are still sharp sticks.
While a good thing, if, it happens, the main issue, is government transparency which continues to get worse under trump. Have a bone good dogs.