No doubt but there are ones far worse getting a free pass. No politician or US news media would have helped snowden. Excuse no. Just the facts.
If he would have developed information specific to the NSA spying domestically, I think he could have gotten the support of Washington Post and a number of other papers. He could have gotten the support of a number of Conservative politicians.
What was taking place was unconstitutional.
Then if they went after him the American Public would have been furious.
You start introducing treasonous activity, and it prevents a lot of people getting behind him.