Deep state whistleblower Edward Snowden may be given a new lease of life.
This high-profile fugitive has been living in Russia since 2013 after leaking classified National Security Agency documents showing that the United States was engaged in a mass surveillance program, and he is known for being a left-wing activist and free speech activist. Although it is attracting attention among people, it has received a cold reception. From the Republican Party.
But Mr. Snowden has powerful allies in President-elect Trump's cabinet, insiders told the Post.
Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard was nominated by President Trump to be Director of National Intelligence. co-sponsored the resolution In September 2020, it called on the US to drop all charges against Snowden.
Sources close to Gabbard told the Post that a Snowden pardon remains important to her and that she is likely to push for it in President Trump's second term.
“I certainly think that's the direction she's going to push if asked,” the source said.
Gabbard co-sponsored the bill with Florida Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz, Trump's nominee for attorney general. Although Gates was forced to withdraw, he is expected to remain influential in the Trump world.
“Matt has a great future ahead of him and I look forward to seeing him do great things,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social after Gates withdrew.
Another apparent ally of Mr. Snowden is Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the alleged Secretary of Health and Human Services, who said at the Libertarian National Convention in May that he intended to “pardon Edward Snowden.” Ta. A month ago, he promised to erect a statue of Mr. Snowden.
Representatives for Mr. Kennedy did not respond to The Post's request for comment.
Vice President-elect J.D. Vance has not taken any public position on Snowden, but people close to him say they expect him to be sympathetic to the whistleblower's situation. Ta.
“What he wants to do is fix the deep state and intelligence communities that lack safeguards, oversight and transparency,” said a source close to Vance.
President Trump largely addressed the issue toward the end of his first term. At the end of 2020, the president was “strongly considering” pardoning Snowden. The issue faced pushback from then-Attorney General Bill Barr and President Trump's top officials. Secretary of State at the time Mike Pompeo believed Snowden's actions were criminal and undermined national security. Neither is expected to return to an influential role in President Trump's second term.
“Ed Snowden is a whistleblower who exposed the crimes of others, but he is the one who was punished while the criminals were in power. It is hard to think of a more grotesque injustice than this. His pardon. Anyone who opposes that is an enemy,” said Tucker Carlson, a close friend of President Trump.
Team Trump did not respond to requests for comment from the Post.
“This is exactly the kind of case for which clemency powers were created,” Snowden said through his lawyer Ben Wisner. “He broke the law for the public good, for the love of his country, and he paid the price. is not an exile.”
