Washington – The White House says President Barack Obama continues to believe that former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden should return to the United States to face charges for leaking classified information.
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Snowden’s supporters are pushing for Obama to pardon Snowden, and a new movie is coming out Friday about the case.
White House spokesman Josh Earnest on Monday reiterated Obama’s position that Snowden’s leaks “damaged the United States,” harmed national security and put Americans at risk.
Earnest says Snowden will be “treated fairly and consistent with the law” if he returns to the U.S.
As an NSA contractor, Snowden leaked classified details in 2013 of the U.S. government’s warrantless surveillance program before fleeing to Russia. He faces U.S. charges that could land him in prison for up to 30 years.
He should be returned to the US and terminated with extreme prejudice. He has caused the deaths of countless people.
Why should he return? He will not be allowed to offer the defense that he did it expose crimes. He will not be allowed to present most evidence in his defense. His trial would be more-or-less secret. Then he will be locked in Pollard’s old cell. There is simply no reason to return.
Sure – treated fairly and consistently with the law? Like someone else we know who is above the law?
The best punishment is NOT allowing him ever back into the US.