US lawmakers urge Biden to pardon Assange to send ‘clear message’ on media freedom
Guardian1 day
US Lawmakers Urge Biden to Pardon Assange
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Above: Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, attends the European council on Oct. 1, 2024 in Strasbourg France. Image copyright: Johannes Simon/Stringer/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Facts
US Pres. Joe Biden has been urged by two congressmen to pardon WikiLeaks publisher and founder Julian Assange, it was revealed this week. Earlier this year, Assange entered a plea deal in which he admitted a single violation of the US Espionage Act in exchange for his release from UK imprisonment.
In a letter dated Nov. 1, James McGovern (D-Mass.) and Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) told Biden they "appreciated" Assange's release, but said they were "deeply concerned" that his guilty plea sets a precedent that opens the door to further prosecutions of journalists and whistleblowers.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange admitted to his involvement in an Espionage Act conspiracy and received a sentence of 62 months in prison, with credit for time already served. WikiLeaks published significant raw, classified material without redacting any personally identifiable information, thereby putting serving military personnel at risk. Assange deserved to face the consequences for his illegal actions.
Establishment-critical narrative
Julian Assange was the first publisher convicted under the US Espionage Act for disclosing American military war crimes on June 26, 2024. While Julian is now free, the struggle for press freedom continues, as this verdict sets a dangerous precedent, putting journalists at risk if they expose government wrongdoing. By granting Julian Assange a pardon, President Biden would reaffirm America's role as a global leader in press freedom and the defense of human rights.
