[Nateman]

Julian exposed the raw corruption of the deep state . Doing so did something the elites find unforgivable: he embarrassed them and therefore must crushed!

[bboise]

Just like the J6 political prisoners, hatred by the deep state

[Tench_Coxe]

Similar thoughts here.
As time has gone on, it appears to be less about espionage and more about punishing someone who exposed/embarassed the 'elites'.
Recent confirmation:
Treatment of Jan 6ers
Ok for Biden and Pence to keep classified documents that they weren't allowed to have, but Trump having documents he declassified by an inherent power of his office, not ok

Past example:
Sandy Berger untouched by justice for exiting the National Archives with documents stuffed in his clothes.

[Vaduz]

Indeed yet they have no issue about Biden’s dealings with China for money.

[threefinger]

“Julian exposed the raw corruption of the deep state . Doing so did something the elites find unforgivable: he embarrassed them and therefore must crushed!”

Assange knowingly committed a crime. Several, in fact. He might have thought it was for a good cause, but the individual doesn’t get to make that determination, that’s what courts are for. You don’t get to skip the legal rigamarole just because your crime is popular with the general public.

And if the courts don’t agree, and if it was a crime that really was for the public good, that’s what presidential pardons are for.

To commit the crime and then try to weasel out of the foreseeable consequences by pretending you’re some manner of a crusader is pure cowardice. If he wasn’t prepared to stand it like a man, he shouldn’t have done it.