Snowden is doing alright, honestly. He knew the gravity of the situation, what it meant, and he still had the balls to do it. He's got a pretty decent life in Russia.
Snowden has been dragged through years of illegal confinement (first in the embassy, now in British jails) based on some extremely flimsy readings of the law. Even though I don't agree with some of his methods of acquiring and releasing information, he is a journalist and should be protected as such.
I guess I admit, I don't know much about the relationship between Snowden and Trump. The interview he did a year ago, which I only saw part of, it didn't appear he had anything nice to say about Trump.
If Snowden could be trusted, could he be an asset for a reformed intelligence apparatus?
Also, the deep state hates him so much that even if Trump were to pardon him right now, I don't think that would matter much to Snowden unless he was convinced Trump was going to remain in power. I don't think a Trump pardon would protect him from the deep state and Harris.
It wouldn't change much for him in the short term.
Assange is different. He's not in the US and has no interest in coming to the US. Pardoning him relieves the international pressure, which has been the biggest thorn in his ass.
I don't believe acceptance is required, thought that seems to be the most recent word from the courts. The Constitution grants the pardon power to the President without check or limitation (other than that it can't be used to stop impeachment). My view is that no one, not even the person being pardoned, has any ability to diminish that power.
Snowden doesn't want Trump to pardon him.
And Snowden hates Trump. He may have even said he would refuse a Trump pardon.
Snowden can stay in Russia. At least he isn't in jail and hasn't been stuck in a embassy for years.
Snowden is doing alright, honestly. He knew the gravity of the situation, what it meant, and he still had the balls to do it. He's got a pretty decent life in Russia.
Snowden has been dragged through years of illegal confinement (first in the embassy, now in British jails) based on some extremely flimsy readings of the law. Even though I don't agree with some of his methods of acquiring and releasing information, he is a journalist and should be protected as such.
I guess I admit, I don't know much about the relationship between Snowden and Trump. The interview he did a year ago, which I only saw part of, it didn't appear he had anything nice to say about Trump.
If Snowden could be trusted, could he be an asset for a reformed intelligence apparatus?
Also, the deep state hates him so much that even if Trump were to pardon him right now, I don't think that would matter much to Snowden unless he was convinced Trump was going to remain in power. I don't think a Trump pardon would protect him from the deep state and Harris.
It wouldn't change much for him in the short term.
Assange is different. He's not in the US and has no interest in coming to the US. Pardoning him relieves the international pressure, which has been the biggest thorn in his ass.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQUEbptcN2I
Snowden is a spook, fuck him.
I don't believe acceptance is required, thought that seems to be the most recent word from the courts. The Constitution grants the pardon power to the President without check or limitation (other than that it can't be used to stop impeachment). My view is that no one, not even the person being pardoned, has any ability to diminish that power.