White House Petition Urges Pardon for Snowden

20,000 signatures so far

More than 20,000 people have signed a petition urging President Obama to pardon the man who revealed details about two classified National Security Agency (NSA) programs. 

The "Pardon Edward Snowden" petition created on Sunday calls the former NSA employee and government contractor "a national hero" who deserves a full pardon. The petition on the official White House website had more than 20,000 signatures as of 2:10 p.m. Monday.

"Edward Snowden is a national hero and should be immediately issued a [sic] a full, free, and absolute pardon for any crimes he has committed or may have committed related to blowing the whistle on secret NSA surveillance programs," the petition states.

Comments

[20yearsecurityclearance]

I'm sorry, but the title is misleading. The petition has nothing to do with the White House. And it doesn't matter how many people sign it. President Obama isn't going to pardon Edward Snowden. Snowden was briefed, accepted the terms and signed the agreement. He violated federal laws and the trust this country put in him. Americans are happy to enjoy the freedom and protection our national security programs afford them. They don't want to know the details. And they don't need to know. The U.S. will track him down and return him to this country, where he should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

[DJK]

He violated unconstitutional federal laws. Not everyone is a bootlicker like you. Fuck off, slaver.

[DJK]

The words of Daniel Ellsberg are rather sage: "I felt that as an American citizen, as a responsible citizen, I could no longer cooperate in concealing this information from the American public. I did this clearly at my own jeopardy and I am prepared to answer to all the consequences of this decision".

[DaveAnthony]

Yeah well we think those of you who have been running these illegal programs are the ones who should be in jail, not the guy who exposed you.