I thought the story was that Snowden was a plant for the CIA, who was engaged in a power war with the NSA.
It was allowable therefore for Snowden to be made to look rather heroic in just enough places among the media to advantage the CIA over the meanies NSA.
CIA had no further use for Snowden and Snowden took off, labeled a traitor, not to be seen again on American soil.
Sorta.
No?
I agree