Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has pledged to pardon NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden on his first day in office if he is elected to the White House. Kennedy Jr. released a petition calling on President Biden to pardon Snowden, who exposed classified NSA documents in 2013, revealing that the U.S. government was spying on its citizens. Snowden was charged with espionage and theft of government property, and is currently a Russian citizen after seeking asylum in Russia to avoid prosecution in the U.S.
Snowden’s revelations included the mass collection of Americans’ metadata, allowing the government to spy on citizens. Kennedy Jr. praised Snowden for his actions, calling him an American hero who performed a critical public service by exposing illegal government surveillance. Former Presidents George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump have criticized Snowden, labeling him as a traitor. Kennedy Jr. has also expressed his intention to build a statue in honor of Snowden and WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange as a reminder of the importance of free speech and transparency.
Kennedy Jr. has been a vocal critic of U.S. intelligence agencies and has called for a return to democratic and humanitarian ideals. He believes that whistleblowers like Snowden and Assange, who risk their careers and freedom to protect public interest, should be celebrated rather than prosecuted. After initially challenging Biden for the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination, Kennedy Jr. launched his White House bid as an independent candidate in October, setting up a potential match-up against Biden and Trump in the 2024 general election.
Former President Trump has called Snowden a “total traitor” and suggested that he should be executed, but later considered pardoning him or Assange in the final days of his administration. Kennedy Jr. reiterated that the America he loves does not punish whistleblowers and that individuals who stand up for free speech and democratic values should be revered. He believes it is time to champion truth-tellers and whistleblowers who expose government wrongdoing and protect the rights of the American people.
Kennedy Jr.’s commitment to pardoning Snowden has garnered support from those who believe in government transparency and individual rights. He argues that Snowden’s actions were in the public interest and that he should be recognized for his courage in exposing government overreach. By advocating for the pardon of Snowden and Assange, Kennedy Jr. is highlighting the importance of holding those in power accountable and protecting the freedoms that are essential to a democratic society.
As an independent candidate for the presidency, Kennedy Jr. is seeking to bring attention to issues of government surveillance and civil liberties. By promising to pardon Snowden and Assange and advocating for the protection of whistleblowers, he is challenging the traditional narratives surrounding national security and individual privacy. With the 2024 general election looming, Kennedy Jr. is positioning himself as a candidate who values transparency, free speech, and the rights of those who seek to expose government abuses.
