Posted on 11/16/2016 12:42:28 PM PST by SeekAndFind
When I saw yet another headline about pardons this morning I assumed that it was one more story about Barack Obama potentially pardoning Hillary Clinton before he leaves office. This one turned out to have a twist, however. There’s growing speculation (particularly on the other side of the pond) that Donald Trump might consider offering a pardon to Wikileaks founder Julian Assange. (Express.co.uk)
The President-elect may decide to stop America’s investigation into the Australian-born WikiLeaks co-founder, which could see him regain his freedom after being holed-up in the South American embassy since June 2012.
Reports are suggesting Mr Assange’s lawyers are preparing to make the plea with Mr Trump.
The Obama administration launched a criminal investigation into WikiLeaks in 2010, following the publication of documents about the Iraq and Afghanistan wars provided by whistleblower Private Bradley Manning.
Let’s just kick this off by saying that this story sounds rather insane right out of the gate. First of all, even in the hypothetical event that Trump did offer Assange a pardon, that still doesn’t get him out of the Ecuadorean Embassy. He might have the Americans off of his back, but he’s still facing extradition to Sweden on rape charges. (Some of the earlier charges were dropped because the statute of limitations had expired, but not all of them. The rape charge is apparently good through 2020.) He might breathe a bit easier without the FBI on his tail, but the American President can’t do anything about his situation with Sweden.
Even if we’re to entertain this seriously, what does Trump possibly get out of pardoning Assange? He’s promised to stand up for our military and put America first. Assange was the conduit by which a convicted traitor shared a trove of sensitive military information. He’s nothing short of a criminal in that regard and I find it hard to believe that the new, tough on crime, Make America Safe again president would want to launch a move like that as soon as he’s sworn in.
I have no doubt that Trump appreciates the effect which the mountains of emails showing up at Wikileaks had on his election chances, but that was the sort of collateral damage which could be inflicted on Clinton without Trump having his fingerprints on it except in the most fever swamp minds in the media. He owes Assange nothing and doing him that sort of favor would be a massive political liability. President Elect Trump may be many things, but stupid isn’t one of them.
Unless some of the “sources” cited in these reports care to come out and go on the record, this is one of those stories that I’ll need to see myself before I believe it. And for now, Assange can just continue to haunt the halls of Ecuador’s embassy. But while we’re on the subject, perhaps the new president can have a word with their ambassador once he’s in office. Last time I checked we were giving them tens of millions of dollars in foreign aid. Giving up Assange might make that cash flow a bit more secure in the future.
It’s called leverage. Implemented by a master.
How exactly does an Australian national wanted on rape charges in Sweden, living in the Ecuadorian embassy in Great Britain get a pardon from a US president?
YES!!
Assange is not a U.S. citizen. He has never been arrested in the U.S. He has never been indicted in the U.S. Pardon him for what?
I suggest a negotiated plea agreement on US espionage charges.
Wikileaks needs to acknowledge that there is a line beyond which the US does indeed have a legitimate need to protect our military secrets for our own national security.
If they are willing to do that, then perhaps there is a way forward in negotiation.
Globalism.
RE: Assange is not a U.S. citizen. He has never been arrested in the U.S. He has never been indicted in the U.S. Pardon him for what?
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It says in the article above:
“The President-elect may decide to stop America’s investigation into the Australian-born WikiLeaks co-founder, which could see him regain his freedom after being holed-up in the South American embassy since June 2012.”
I think that’s as far as Trump can go.
He could also perhaps use his influence to grant Assange asylum in the USA.
Like 99.5% of the fictional crap the enemedia's been complicit in over here, those Swedish charges sound much too 'convenient'.
Isn’t Julian wanted by FBI or CIA or some thing in the USA?
Well, to be fair pardoning an American former Senator and failed presidential candidate who is wanted by Egypt for high crimes isn’t much less goofy.
If the Nobel Committee were not corrupt, he would receive a Nobel Prize.
...and give him the Medal of Freedom! He helped the USA dodge a fatal political bullet.
I’ll believe it when I hear Trump say it.
That's not a pardon.
He could also perhaps use his influence to grant Assange asylum in the USA.
Oh sure. Grant asylum to a guy wanted for rape. Way to cement your standing with women in the electorate. Would the U.S. become the sanctuary for all accused rapists or just this one?
Wow! Trump can pardon crimes committed in Sweden? He is the man!
The president can Pardon him but cannot stop prosecution by outside agencies.
RE: those Swedish charges sound much too ‘convenient’.
Out of curiosity, what do they do with those Muslim males who rape Swedish women?
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