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This is not news. Let's see him actually pardon Snowden, then talk about it.
by glaive123 6y ago
This is not news. Let's see him actually pardon Snowden, then talk about it.
- jjordan 6y agoConsidering 3-4 years ago he referred to him as a traitor, I'd say the significant shift in stance is news. Should a pardon happen, this would set an important precedent for future whistleblowers and for the rule of law in the often obfuscated corners of the federal government. Support the efforts of Rand Paul and Thomas Massie, who have already publicly stated their support for a Presidential pardon in this case.
- deelowe 6y agoI think after 3 and 1/2 years, we'd all recognize by now that Trump more often than not says things just to stir up controversy. As others have said, this isn't newsworthy until he actually does something.
- Lammy 6y agoIf stirring that controversy means reigniting debate about our collective surveillance apparatus then I'm not sure how I should feel :)
- bobthepanda 6y agoUsually the "stirring up controversy" isn't on the merits of whatever the controversy is itself, but to draw attention away from some other controversy, like the whole USPS debacle.
- bobthepanda 6y agoGiven how Trump constantly flip-flops on various issues it's not unwarranted to be skeptical that this is actually going to happen.
- surround 6y agoSeven years ago, Trump said Snowden should be executed. Four years ago, in an interview, Obama refused to pardon Snowden. I’d say this is a notable development.
- curiousgal 6y agoHonestly who cares? The guy is actively trying to undermine your (flawed) democracy. Anything he does or says is moot and serves merely as a distraction.
- ttyprintk 6y agoI think parent is trying to draw a trendline toward executive forgiveness. A Trump pardon is different than an Obama pardon. This is about Trump, not Snowden, and not about the issues of the modern surveillance state as demonstrated by Snowden. A Snowden pardon by Trump will have a clause where Snowden promises to appear on stage at a rally. (edit, clarity)
- surround 6y agoNo, that’s not what I’m saying.