US President Donald Trump has issued a statement on the prospective pardoning of NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden, as there has been an increase in calls to consider it from key members of his administration.
Trump is certainly no stranger to pardons, as he has given executive clemency to over 1,500 individuals across his first term and the initial few weeks of his second run as President of the United States.
These include political allies, wealthy individuals, participants in the January 6 capitol riots, and even dark web marketplace owners, but some of the most controversial conversations surround former whistleblowers that have violated the Espionage Act.
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Former NSA intelligence contractor Edward Snowden is one of the most famous of these particular cases, as he leaked classified documents from the National Security Agency that revealed the existence of global surveillance programs in 2013.
This was and remains still a major moment for US politics, as conversations surrounding national security, government secrecy, and surveillance have continued for over a decade following Snowden's initial leak.
While he was charged with violating the Espionage Act and theft of government property, Snowden quickly fled to Russia in which he has now gained permanent residency.
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Key members of both sides of the political spectrum have repeatedly reignited conversations surrounding Snowden and potential pardons, and these talks have risen once again after Trump has nominated Tusli Gabbard for director of national intelligence.
As reported by Politico, Gabbard has come to the defense of Snowden multiple times in her political history, suggesting in 2020 that the government should 'drop all charges' against him.
During her confirmation hearing, much of the conversation surrounded Snowden, and while she agreed that he "broke the law," reports indicate that she 'sidestepped' questions on the topic of his status as a 'traitor' to the United States.
President Trump has now weighed in on the conversation himself, giving his own 'cryptic' opinion as to whether Snowden should receive a political pardon, as per Forbes.
"No I don't talk to [Gabbard] about it right now," Trump revealed in reference to a potential Snowden pardon. He added that "people feel very differently, some people think he should be pardoned, some people think it would be a terrible thing to do. But I don't get involved in that."
This certainly implies that a pardon isn't likely to be on the cards right now, as Trump is the only person who holds such power and he's not interested in 'getting involved in that'.
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Some on social media do lean in favor of Snowden though, with one commenter arguing that he "acted in the public interest and should be pardoned and those he exposed should be investigated."
Others have indicated that "Snowden is probably safer where he is" right now though, as it's implied that regardless of a pardon, he would have a major target on his back upon his return to the US.
Another has pointed out that "Trump didn't pardon Assange," so it's likely that he also steers clear of Snowden, but you never know what the future might hold for Trump and his administration, especially with Gabbard in an influential position.