What part of the first amendment exonerates knowingly attempting to crack NTLM keys of US military logins? Or is the reasoning that the law should give him special treatment and exemptions not given to others? Also, is the 1st amendment protection even applicable to foreigners on foreign soil?
Yes, First Amendment protections apply to non-Americans. However, as you say, Assange is being prosecuted for conspiracy to hack computers, not for his speech.
But again, that doesn’t feed the conspiracy-minded mob or generate clicks.
Edit response to emiliobumachar:
If the US broke international law and their treaties with the UK it would be a really bad look at the very least. Conversely if that doesn’t happen what are you going to be convinced of?
(Sorry about responding this way, but after two months of getting no response from the mods about rate limiting me, I’m just adapting.)