At the same time that Donald Trump is ramping up talk about about pardoning the Jan. 6 insurrectionists after he assumes power in late January, some of his closest advisers are pushing him to also issue a pardon to former NSA contractor Edward Snowden who has been avoiding U.S. authorities by living in Russia since 2013.
According to a report from the Washington Post, former Rep. Matt Gaetz –– who recently withdrew his name for consideration to be the president elect's attorney general –– has been a big advocate for Snowden who is on the run for exposing U.S. government secrets.
The report notes that Trump, before he lost re-election in 2020, considered a Snowden pardon and explained at the time, "I decided to let that one ride, let the courts work it out."
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Now, as part of his plan to disrupt the status quo, he may have a change of heart.
According to Gaetz, "I advocated for a pardon for Mr. Snowden extensively. That did not give Mr. Trump any apprehension in his nominating me. I would have recommended that as attorney general. I have discussed the matter with others in and around the transition, and there seemed to be pretty broad support for a pardon.”
The report also notes that Don Trump Jr., who has become a key adviser to his father this go-around, is also leaning towards urging a pardon for Snowden who was allowed to settle in Russia by President Vladimir Putin.
"The president’s son, has recently advocated for clemency for Snowden and other whistleblowers and leakers from the national security apparatus, including Jack Teixeira, a former Air National Guard member who was sentenced last month to 15 years in prison for releasing top-secret information including details of U.S. military assistance for Ukraine," the report states.
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