If Assange was a Russian asset who helped Trump win the election, then when Trump offered him a pardon to announce someone non-Russian as the source, he would a

If Assange was a Russian asset who helped Trump win the election, then when Trump offered him a pardon to announce someone non-Russian as the source, he would accept the offer immediately. Assange's options in that case would be: rot miserably in jail, risk dying, hurt mother Russia and Trump - or - say a couple of words, save himself, Russia and increase Trumps re-election chances, and go back out into the world doing more amazing conspiracy-spy-stuff for Russia with a big fat paycheck. Conclusion: Assange is not a Russian asset.