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Obama says he can’t pardon Snowden

35 points by ghosh 10y ago

Tomte 10y ago
It is obvious that "can't" doesn't mean "not legally allowed to" but "that's my prerequisite for thinking about it". Really, how could anyone get something else from his interview?
- grzm 10y ago
  You've likely viewed how people spin and cherry pick, particularly in this election cycle. It's very unfortunate, but unfortunately unsurprising at this point.
rabboRubble 10y ago
Nixon?
- mcv 10y ago
  Nixon was pardoned before he was indicted. So legally, there's definitely precedent for Obama's ability to pardon Snowden. He just doesn't want to. From the article: > When Obama said he "can't" pardon Snowden he may have meant he "won't" do it, unless circumstances change. Presidents have historically issued pardons even when no court or prosecutor has taken action, which was pointed out by Noa Yachot, who directs the Pardon Snowden campaign. > "The president can pardon anyone," wrote Yachot. "Richard Nixon hadn’t even been indicted when Gerald Ford issued a 'full, free, and absolute pardon unto Richard Nixon for all offenses against the United States which he, Richard Nixon, has committed or may have committed or taken part in' over the course of his presidency.
halviti 10y ago
All these articles about this, but I've never seen anyone mention whether or not a pardon has been requested.. which is arguably the most important thing in determining whether or not a pardon will be granted. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Office_of_the_Pardon_Attorney https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Office_of_the_Pardon_Attorney
travmatt 10y ago
Well... yea. Pardoning Snowden seems a great way to send the intelligence community into an upheaval and spark mass resignation and protest, much less the political ammo it would give Republicans.
squozzer 10y ago
>I think that Mr. Snowden raised some legitimate concerns. How he did it was something that did not follow the procedures and practices of our intelligence community. Translated into English -- he didn't kill anyone. >At the point at which Mr. Snowden wants to present himself before the legal authorities and make his arguments or have his lawyers make his arguments... Translated into English -- he didn't hop on a plane to Gitmo. Note to self -- if ever in the position to leak information on a massive secret government surveillance program, make sure the data has a couple of juicy tidbits about the president, to hold in reserve.
payne92 10y ago
"Obama says he WON'T pardon Snowden"

35 points by ghosh 10y ago

Tomte 10y ago

It is obvious that "can't" doesn't mean "not legally allowed to" but "that's my prerequisite for thinking about it". Really, how could anyone get something else from his interview?

grzm 10y ago
You've likely viewed how people spin and cherry pick, particularly in this election cycle. It's very unfortunate, but unfortunately unsurprising at this point.

rabboRubble 10y ago

Nixon?

mcv 10y ago
Nixon was pardoned before he was indicted. So legally, there's definitely precedent for Obama's ability to pardon Snowden. He just doesn't want to. From the article: > When Obama said he "can't" pardon Snowden he may have meant he "won't" do it, unless circumstances change. Presidents have historically issued pardons even when no court or prosecutor has taken action, which was pointed out by Noa Yachot, who directs the Pardon Snowden campaign. > "The president can pardon anyone," wrote Yachot. "Richard Nixon hadn’t even been indicted when Gerald Ford issued a 'full, free, and absolute pardon unto Richard Nixon for all offenses against the United States which he, Richard Nixon, has committed or may have committed or taken part in' over the course of his presidency.

halviti 10y ago

All these articles about this, but I've never seen anyone mention whether or not a pardon has been requested.. which is arguably the most important thing in determining whether or not a pardon will be granted. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Office_of_the_Pardon_Attorney https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Office_of_the_Pardon_Attorney

travmatt 10y ago

Well... yea. Pardoning Snowden seems a great way to send the intelligence community into an upheaval and spark mass resignation and protest, much less the political ammo it would give Republicans.

squozzer 10y ago

>I think that Mr. Snowden raised some legitimate concerns. How he did it was something that did not follow the procedures and practices of our intelligence community. Translated into English -- he didn't kill anyone. >At the point at which Mr. Snowden wants to present himself before the legal authorities and make his arguments or have his lawyers make his arguments... Translated into English -- he didn't hop on a plane to Gitmo. Note to self -- if ever in the position to leak information on a massive secret government surveillance program, make sure the data has a couple of juicy tidbits about the president, to hold in reserve.

payne92 10y ago

"Obama says he WON'T pardon Snowden"