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Trump says he is considering pardon for Edward Snowden

reuters.com

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Re: Trump says he is considering pardon for Edward Snowden

#31

Post by cryptonector »

duxup wrote: post #23
toomuchtodo wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think it’s unlikely Snowden would ever receive a fair trial, therefore a pardon is the best course of action, erring on the side of compassion versus “justice” typically dispensed by the US justice system. What he revealed about the domestic surveillance apparatus violating US law and citizens’ rights had significant value to nation. Regardless, if this is how the pardon comes about, I happily support it even if it…

I wonder what a fair trial means to people...his own admissions include describing his own illegal activity...

You can admit guilt and plead innocent. It's weird, but it's true. And the jury can acquit in spite of overwhelming evidence of guilt. That's how the anglosaxon system of criminal justice works (or used to; perhaps this is only true now in the U.S.?).

Re: Trump says he is considering pardon for Edward Snowden

#32

Post by rayiner »

_zzaw wrote: post #24

Two possibilities come to mind: 1. My uninformed kneejerk guess is that Russia, for whatever reason, wants to be rid of Snowden. It's the only explanation for why Trump—who has no pressing reason to be thinking about Edward Snowden right now, and almost certainly does not approve of Snowden or people like him—would suddenly raise the issue. 2. That, or it's something Trump knows will get everyone talking and he needs…

> It's the only explanation for why Trump—who has no pressing reason to be thinking about Edward Snowden right now, and almost certainly does not approve of Snowden or people like him—would suddenly raise the issue.

There is way more overlap in the thought process (with respect to the deep state) of Trump and Snowden supporters than than Snowden supporters would let on.

Re: Trump says he is considering pardon for Edward Snowden

#33

Post by gringoDan »

runawaybottle wrote: post #16

Politically, bringing back Snowden brings back the issue, Obama/Biden era big government spying program Prism. Trump: Remember everyone, Biden used to spy on you. This is similar to when he did a press conference with all of Bill Clinton’s accusers. Just a means to an end for Trump.

If this is the case, not a bad strategy for Trump. In general, I assume that any move by a politician is made entirely out of self-interest.

Re: Trump says he is considering pardon for Edward Snowden

#34

Post by eli »

Olumde wrote: post #5

Trump will scarcely do something like this unless he thinks it will benefit him. Does he think millenials will love him for it or does he think Snowden has dirt on Obama? Time will tell.

He floats a lot of ideas that 1) make headlines but don’t really make sense and 2) never actually happen. He’s been two weeks from announcing a new healthcare plan since he took office.

Re: Trump says he is considering pardon for Edward Snowden

#35

Post by HenryKissinger »

cryptonector wrote: post #25
duxup wrote: post #12

I suppose on his mind this might fit with some sort of fight with the "deep state". Beyond that I would just chalk it up to some inherent capriciousness... bordering on concerning instability.

You've addressed the President's possible motivations. But, do you think Snowden should be pardoned? Just curious. (It's a tough call. I've not decided my own position on the matter.)

Snowden is charged with theft, unauthorized communication of national defense information, and willful communication of classified communications intelligence information to an unauthorized person, under the 1917 Espionage Act. His unauthorized disclosures of classified information caused grave damage to the national security of the United States and allowed enemies of the United States to better conceal their communications and activities.

I do not think Snowden deserves a pardon. Edward Snowden should be extradited to the United States to receive a trial and an appropriate sentence.

Re: Trump says he is considering pardon for Edward Snowden

#36

Post by runawaybottle »

cryptonector wrote: post #25
duxup wrote: post #12

I suppose on his mind this might fit with some sort of fight with the "deep state". Beyond that I would just chalk it up to some inherent capriciousness... bordering on concerning instability.

You've addressed the President's possible motivations. But, do you think Snowden should be pardoned? Just curious. (It's a tough call. I've not decided my own position on the matter.)

Depends, how bad was Prism exactly?

Re: Trump says he is considering pardon for Edward Snowden

#38

Post by sneak »

The CIA will instagib Snowden the instant it is physically possible for them to do so. A pardon will never change that.

The commander of the CIA states it plainly: https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/39568370275766272...

(Remember, we're talking about the same CIA that hacked US congressional computers, because the congress was investigating the CIA’s torture record and they wanted to cover it up. Then the CIA lied about hacking them. Then they later lied about lying about it.)

The IC knows they would suffer zero consequences for his “heart attack”.

Ed is far too smart to ever put himself in that situation.

Thus, for practical purposes, such a pardon is irrelevant.

Re: Trump says he is considering pardon for Edward Snowden

#39

Post by cryptonector »

duxup wrote: post #26
_zzaw wrote: post #24

Two possibilities come to mind: 1. My uninformed kneejerk guess is that Russia, for whatever reason, wants to be rid of Snowden. It's the only explanation for why Trump—who has no pressing reason to be thinking about Edward Snowden right now, and almost certainly does not approve of Snowden or people like him—would suddenly raise the issue. 2. That, or it's something Trump knows will get everyone talking and he needs…

I don't think Russia needs anyone's help being rid of Snowden... Russia is not a very free country, if they want him silent, gone, whatever it would happen.

Clearly Snowden has been useful to them, at least from a propaganda angle, and perhaps intelligence-wise as well. By now they've extracted all the value they were ever going to extract from him, and he may just be a cost center to them now, but you're absolutely right that if they wanted to be rid of him, it'd be trivial to do it.

Re: Trump says he is considering pardon for Edward Snowden

#40

Post by [deleted] »

m463 wrote: post #13
gpm wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Your quote is from... October 2013 [1]. I think Trump's views and information might have changed since then, and the state of the world has changed which will modify the pros and cons of this move to trump. I expect his decision will mostly be made based on how he perceives it impacting his chance of getting re-elected. I haven't noticed trump ever being particularly concerned about what the intelligence community th…

I expect it might be calculated to help his re-election - if he does it. Remembering how google locked down its internal network after the revelations, I would expect lots of silicon valley might align with snowden's plight.

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