Should President Obama pardon Edward Snowden?

2016-09-13T18:00:27-04:00

Is Snowden a patriot or a traitor? Should President Obama pardon him, as he's asking in this CNN story?

I'll cast the first no vote as soon as I post this question. Just so you know.

http://money.cnn.com/2016/09/13/technology/edward-snowden-pardon-obama/index.html

Edward Snowden: Why President Obama should pardon me

Edward Snowden is making his case for a presidential pardon, saying his decision to steal and release a trove of highly classified National Security Agency documents helped bring about vital reforms.

Response by Sgt Kelli Mays made Sep 13 at 2016 6:02 PM

2016-09-13T18:02:17-04:00

SSG Audwin Scott HELL NO!!! Not in his lifetime!
This guy took a job, signed a contract and was given top security clearance. He then ABUSED his clearance, stole classified information and then shared it with the world...He does NOT deserve a pardon. As far as I am concerned he breached Security and he is a TRAITOR!

Response by SFC George Smith made Sep 13 at 2016 6:08 PM

2016-09-13T18:08:43-04:00

interesting... but he will not do it... because Snowden Exposed what BHOs NSA was doing...

Response by SFC Joseph Weber made Sep 13 at 2016 6:10 PM

2016-09-13T18:10:21-04:00

I chose the second option. I prefer answering questions like this simply "No". People look at you to explain, I walk away.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Sep 13 at 2016 6:11 PM

2016-09-13T18:11:53-04:00

I have one major problem with Snowden.

He RAN FROM THE CONSEQUENCES of his actions. If you're going to stand up to the man, because you think the man is wrong, you stick around for the consequences.

It's one thing to knowingly break a law you think is unjust (which he admits to). It's another thing to release classified information to another person you know is not authorized to have it, violating your non-disclosure agreement (which you VOLUNTARILY entered into), again readily admitting to. All of these can be "justified" if you stick around for your Day in Court.

If you run, you're a coward. You're not a patriot. Outside of being a traitor (which I don't believe he meets the Constitutional definition for), he's $^&*%( coward. He was more interested in saving his own $^&$*&% skin, than doing the right thing. He could have done all the above and turned himself in. Manning did. Manning didn't run. Say what you will about Manning; not a coward. Stayed behind and lived with the consequences of his actions.

Snowden didn't. Patriots do.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Sep 13 at 2016 6:15 PM

2016-09-13T18:15:01-04:00

I believe there may be an adjoining cell with "Chelsea Manning", a match made in somewhere. They could compare notes and stuff.

Response by Maj Marty Hogan made Sep 13 at 2016 6:19 PM

2016-09-13T18:19:57-04:00

Not just no- but hell no. I have a different view of the world than most and am jaded somewhat. I don't see patriotic in anything he did- then he tucked tail and ran. I would however bring back one last public hanging. But again that is just me CW5 Private RallyPoint Member

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Sep 13 at 2016 6:22 PM

2016-09-13T18:22:27-04:00

I don't think he's either a patriot or a traitor. He's someone who took a principled stand and should be prepared to reap the reward or suffer the consequences. His worst choice was running away. BTW, it should be apparent by now that the classification of secrets is being abused, used for political purposes, just as it was when I was handling the secrets of the nation. I was hoping and praying that Daniel Ellsberg's trial for leaking the Pentagon Papers would settle the issue. Sadly, the politicians made sure the trial would be aborted (as I suspect Snowden's trial would have been aborted) to avoid facing this issue. BTW, as to your original question, I'd prefer that President Obama go golfing and stay on the course for the rest of his term.

Response by SFC Everett Oliver made Sep 13 at 2016 7:30 PM

2016-09-13T19:30:59-04:00

He can spend the rest of his days in beautiful downtown Leavenworth.

Response by MAJ Bryan Zeski made Sep 13 at 2016 8:24 PM

2016-09-13T20:24:27-04:00

I vote yes. I think in the future, Snowden will be equated with Daniel Ellberg and the Pentagon Papers.

Response by PO2 Robert Aitchison made Sep 13 at 2016 8:30 PM

2016-09-13T20:30:07-04:00

Voted yes because I think he should be pardoned but I wouldn't go so far as to say he was a patriot. The reality as usual is a shade of grey.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Sep 13 at 2016 8:40 PM

2016-09-13T20:40:01-04:00

I'm a retired Navy Spook that basically did the same job Snowden did before he gave it to the press. Hell NO.

Response by Maj Kevin "Mac" McLaughlin made Sep 13 at 2016 8:49 PM

2016-09-13T20:49:04-04:00

Let me be clear here. Snowden is in fact a traitor. Few people know the amount of damage he is responsible for.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 13 at 2016 8:51 PM

2016-09-13T20:51:19-04:00

I find I have mixed feelings on this. On the one hand, I am concerned about the release of info that could harm the country's security. But OTOH, if the offenders are the same "superiors" in the chain of command, then how else do you really inform the public of illegal surveillance going on?

I wonder how people would respond to this situation. You are working for a government agency, and you discover that the US has a TS plan to confiscate all individual weapons from citizens (for those who think they have already discovered said plan, bear with me). It was approved by a secret court the public knows nothing about. Maybe it is already underway as a covert op as a test. You express your concerns about the constitutionality of this plan, but get no positive response from higher up officials. You truly believe that the government is secretly violating the constitution.

So, with no seeming way to alert the public without revealing TS information, what would you do? Do you decide to violate the classified info laws in order to alert the public? You are in a catch-22, in that by definition you can't expose the unconstitutional actions without violating the laws. So you decide the constitution comes first, and release it. You may even be willing to have your day in court, but have seen past examples where the government keeps people in prison, often in solitary, for years before a trial even starts. And at trial, you will probably be denied the right to further expose classified info or govt wrongdoing.

You decide reluctantly that you seek asylum somewhere as you believe you cannot get a fair trial. In response to your leak, the government shuts down the plan. Laws are rewritten to prevent a reoccurrence. Would you be considered a hero protector of the constitution or a traitor?

That's essentially what Snowden did. Congress passed laws to shut down illegal surveillance of Americans. It wouldn't have happened without the leaked info. So I have a problem calling him a coward for "running". He is paying a huge personal price for stopping an unconstitutional program that affected everyone.

Response by SSG Trust Palmer made Sep 13 at 2016 9:38 PM

2016-09-13T21:38:15-04:00

I will keep my opinion to myself because I tend to get in trouble and get blocked. Lmbo SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4"

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 13 at 2016 11:13 PM

2016-09-13T23:13:45-04:00

No sympathy here for Snowden. Proved what kind of scum he is by aligning himself with Assange and Putin.

Response by SSgt GG-15 RET Jim Lint made Sep 13 at 2016 11:30 PM

2016-09-13T23:30:43-04:00

I think we need to keep him employed so that Counterintelligence people have work to do? No, I think he should be the first person in the new Tank Gunnery Range Target Flag. He may carry the flag of his choice on a tank range...down range. Targets need love too! (Gunners love targets!)

Response by TSgt Joe C. made Sep 14 at 2016 12:48 AM

2016-09-14T00:48:43-04:00

Nope.

Response by SSG Michael Eastes made Sep 14 at 2016 1:30 AM

2016-09-14T01:30:18-04:00

Maybe it's because most of my service was during the Cold War, but the fact that he ran to the damned Soviets for protection tells me all that I need to know about Snowden. A traitorous poltroon, and nothing less.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Sep 14 at 2016 7:53 AM

2016-09-14T07:53:01-04:00

It's not my call. It's up to the prez.

Response by SGT David T. made Sep 14 at 2016 7:55 AM

2016-09-14T07:55:10-04:00

I don't know really. I think he did the right thing just in the wrong way. So I am conflicted.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Sep 14 at 2016 9:02 AM

2016-09-14T09:02:07-04:00

The easy answer is no. Snowden, Manning, Assange, Clinton... they've all been guilty of essentially the same thing. It's not even really the content that I have issues with, it's the trust that was violated.

Almost all of us have some form of a clearance. We've all been trusted with something the general public either doesn't know about or shouldn't know about. My biggest issues with these cases is the amount of information that could have been used to harm our Nation or harm our servicemembers.

What if he released troop formations and positions?
What if he released the Presidential Itinerary?
What if he released the names of all the Secret Service Agents on his personal security detail?

Even worse is that all these hacks/leaks are happening when we are actively in a war-time climate.

It doesn't matter what his intentions were. The road to Hell is paved in good intentions.

Response by MSgt James Mullis made Sep 14 at 2016 11:21 AM

2016-09-14T11:21:35-04:00

I voted yes and will make a countervailing argument to the majority of the comments posted so far. As I see it, the problem Snowden, and a number of other high profile whistle blowers have faced, is a complete degradation/disregard/bypassing of the systems Congress put in place to protect them from retaliation by those in power. Under the past few Administrations (Bush through Obama), a whistle-blower is far more likely to be imprisoned for making an abuse claim through the proper channels, as be declared a hero. As an example look up what happened to William Binney from the NSA. When the fox is in charge of the hen house, its time for the hen to leave or be eaten. That said, it's doubtful that the current fox will pardon one of the chickens that got away.

Response by PO1 Brian Austin made Sep 14 at 2016 12:59 PM

2016-09-14T12:59:36-04:00

No.
Let him enjoy those Russian winters, that tiny apartment, Borscht, and whine over Skype for the rest of his natural life. He made his bed, he can sleep in it.

Response by ENS Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 14 at 2016 1:49 PM

2016-09-14T13:49:45-04:00

This is a controversial subject, that I, being in a similar community, don't feel I should vote or directly comment on one way or the other. Now, I do believe in some aspects he was covered under the Whistle Blower act, but even then, there is not much a piece of paper can protect you from when you are going toe to toe with one of the most powerful agencies in the world. With that being said, Snowden went completely the wrong direction with his exposure. There are proper channels to go through when disclosing or uncovering unethical or illegal activity.. He hurt the nation far more than he helped. His goal, in my opinion, was to protect the American people, but in his attempt he ended up compromising national security, the identities of several high level sensitive personnel, amongst many other things.. The damage may never be undone. I feel what best sums it up is this, "The road to hell is paved with good intentions."

-No vote.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 14 at 2016 3:10 PM

2016-09-14T15:10:46-04:00

No.

Response by PO3 Sandra Gomke made Sep 15 at 2016 10:32 AM

2016-09-15T10:32:03-04:00

No. If he gets away with it once, he'll do it again.

Response by TSgt Kenneth Ellis made Sep 15 at 2016 12:24 PM

2016-09-15T12:24:57-04:00

Doesn't he have to be tried and convicted first.

Response by PO1 Jack Howell made Sep 15 at 2016 11:24 PM

2016-09-15T23:24:44-04:00

**** NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He's a traitor. He deserves to go to prison for a very long time.

Response by SSgt Paul Esquibel made Sep 16 at 2016 7:19 PM

2016-09-16T19:19:45-04:00

From all the facts I've read and how they relate to him I think so, because from what I've learned he tried to do it the right way, using chain of command and it fell on def ears because of those who controlled the programs. I do think in today's life we need certain programs to help protect our citizens but at the same time it's a fine line because between what is in the best nature and what can be used against us. He exposed some serious issues in our government that people turned a blind eye to because the good is was used for worked but it also had serious bad and with programs as such you need governing bodies to determine the best course of a program and not a select few, over sight is needed in order to ensure issues are at a minimal.

Response by SrA Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 20 at 2016 7:01 AM

2016-09-20T07:01:46-04:00

To all the "No" voters, are you saying that those programs aimed against innocent Americans are OK? Would they have EVER seen the light of day? If you are looking for traitors and usurpers of Constitutional boundaries, I suggest you look elsewhere. The oath to protect and defend doesn't give government agencies or their stooges cover from exposure. The originators of these programs and those who continue to fund and protect them are the true traitors to the American people and the principles upon which this nation was founded.So,, yes Snowden was a patriot and he was right in fleeing. If he didn't he would have been long since dead and buried in an unmarked grave, or been the victim of a one car accident. Yes Virginia, the state DOES murder those it considers inconvenient.

Response by COL David Turk made Sep 20 at 2016 9:14 AM

2016-09-20T09:14:16-04:00

When recruiting operatives, it's imperative that they feel we can keep their identities secret. Obviously it's going to be more difficult to recruit now.

On a separate note, a similarly disgusting act, although not as injurious to the country was, Carter pardoning the draft dodgers.

Response by Cpl Bruce Raftery made Sep 20 at 2016 9:33 AM

2016-09-20T09:33:28-04:00

Snowdon should pardon Obama ,

Response by SP6 Ron W. made Sep 20 at 2016 10:12 AM

2016-09-20T10:12:14-04:00

Many people think he was revealing a program which monitored & recorded every electronic activity of all Americans. That was the con and multiple libertarian politicians duped the American people. What he actually did was reveal a program specifically designed to ferret out terrorist activity in the United States. Under the cover of that con he then released tons of information related to our SIGINT foreign intelligence gathering. Anyone who had a career in SIGINT intelligence gathering could see what he was doing by various tidbits in the press. Then he ended up in Russia where Russian intelligence made off with everything he had. Those like him, Assange and Wikileaks, do not have the interests of the United States. Please read articles by John Schindler, former Naval Security Group and NSA intelligence/counterintelligence officer. He writes for the Observer on-line and can be found at @20committee on Twitter. Also, I suggest you read Defense One articles on-line. This had nothing to do with the homily of everything is over-classified. This was a serious breach of our foreign intelligence gathering. Russian intelligence has taken advantage of every bit of it. My vote is he is a traitor and should be imprisoned for life.

Response by SSG Ken Gilder made Sep 20 at 2016 10:23 AM

2016-09-20T10:23:51-04:00

Hard to say. I do know the left was all gaga when Julian Assange (Wikileaks) made public, information embarrassing to politicians that are conservative. When he did it about liberal politicians, particularly Hillary Clinton, the left wanted his head on a plate. I guess it boils down to whose ox is being gored.

My vote is "coin flip," but that's not an option.

Response by LtCol Mac McCarty made Sep 20 at 2016 11:55 AM

2016-09-20T11:55:47-04:00

Yes--posthumously!

Response by CMSgt Gary Fichman made Sep 20 at 2016 2:05 PM

2016-09-20T14:05:08-04:00

No pardon, but Mr Obama is pardoning hundreds of convicted drug felons, so no telling what he will do during his last hours in office.

Response by LCpl Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 20 at 2016 2:40 PM

2016-09-20T14:40:22-04:00

Although some might say there was some benefit out of what he did, he's a traitor

Response by PO2 Levi Chambers made Sep 20 at 2016 6:42 PM

2016-09-20T18:42:49-04:00

Treason during war time. I believe that the law is pretty clear about that.

Response by CW4 Leonard White made Sep 20 at 2016 10:21 PM

2016-09-20T22:21:59-04:00

No! He took material that he didn't really understand. He didn't understand how the internal control worked to prevent the abuse of the system. The intelligence community has had "whistle blowers" before, the vast majority didn't run to an adverse, they stayed and explain specifically how an operation was violating the constitution or privacy...Snowden couldn't do that. Plus, he took much more then the public is aware of, material that put military/intelligence operations at risk. He is either a traitor or a dupe.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Sep 21 at 2016 12:44 AM

2016-09-21T00:44:56-04:00

Not no, but HELLS NO. He did what he did for selfish reasons. He wasn't trying to inform folks, you could do that without shoulder surfing folks at their desks, using ill gotten login and passwords to access info you're not cleared to see, or use login and password info that is given to you knowingly by peers to access information you had no access to. If you were serious, you would've stayed in the US and presented your case in court, you would've appealed, and kept appealing to strengthen your case, and make people think. You ran. Now you won't come back unless we cave to your terms? Stay in Russia. One less fool over here.

Response by SrA A.A. Hall made Sep 21 at 2016 12:51 AM

2016-09-21T00:51:51-04:00

He'll no! His actions got troops killed. Then he ran to Russia.

Response by MAJ David Creamer made Sep 21 at 2016 10:19 AM

2016-09-21T10:19:40-04:00

Only a Conditional pardon. First he has to tell the Gov't everything he did, turn over all the information he has and then be on a supervised parole for the next 10 years. After completing that, then he could be granted a pardon.

Response by SPC Michael Mead made Sep 21 at 2016 10:26 AM

2016-09-21T10:26:17-04:00

Snowden wasn't a Soldier, he was a contracted civilian Intel analyst. But he was witness to repeated intentional constitutional violations, and saw the consequences of sticking around to blow the whistle were more than he'd bargained for. So he split. Patriot or traitor, I dunno. But not a coward.

Response by SGT Mary G. made Sep 21 at 2016 8:51 PM

2016-09-21T20:51:19-04:00

So, after considerable thought I have to say "hell no" to the specific question - but not because I consider Snowden either a traitor or a patriot - although I am leaning strongly towards him choosing to be a criminal with unstated nefarious motives, rather than someone who claims he is motivated only by the best interests of our nation.
Why would President Obama or any subsequent president be foolish enough to pardon Edward Snowden without a trial? Americans deserve to have him put on trial, and Snowden deserves a trial although he seems to not want one.
I understand the trepidation Snowden might have about trusting the justice system. Those who are guilty might be afraid of not being able to fool it. Those who are innocent might be afraid the cards would be stacked against them, no matter what - a justified fear, unfortunately when we consider unwarranted shootings by police throughout the nation who are not held culpable.
Our justice system is very slow . . . "the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial" . . . so is the problem a matter of the wheels of justice being excessively slow because of thorough investigation, or because of being excessively manipulated to make a predetermined unjust outcome seem just? It is a question no one should have to ask about our justice system.
That question is my main interest in the Snowden issue. I do not expect clarity about it any time soon.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Sep 21 at 2016 10:58 PM

2016-09-21T22:58:22-04:00

NO, CW5 Private RallyPoint Member.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 22 at 2016 9:21 AM

2016-09-22T09:21:59-04:00

No. First off, you can only be pardoned if officially charged. Has that even happened yet? Secondly, he ran to Russia and gave them all the information he stole. He is no hero. He is a coward. If he truly believed in what he did, he would have stayed here and faced the consequences.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 22 at 2016 12:59 PM

2016-09-22T12:59:17-04:00

Lol he can't and Snowden wouldn't be dumb enough to come back

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 22 at 2016 3:20 PM

2016-09-22T15:20:16-04:00

I believe you need a third option. Snowden should first stand trial, and then the President should consider the possibility of a pardon.

My understanding is that more information was released than was necessary for Snowden to raise public awareness of questionable government activities. If I were President I might be inclined to pardon the release of information concerning potentially illegal surveillance... however I would not grant any sort of leniency on the rest.

Response by CPT Tom Monahan made Sep 23 at 2016 3:08 AM

2016-09-23T03:08:37-04:00

No. He should stand trial. Now is the State can't make its case or the jury chooses to nullify the statutes so be it. Let the process work.

Response by SSG Mark Franzen made Sep 26 at 2016 1:37 PM

2016-09-26T13:37:24-04:00

I would say if president Obama doesn't prosecute Snowdon Will get away with it and more people are would probably to do the same thing.so put him away and throw the key far away.

Response by SFC William Farrell made Sep 26 at 2016 11:14 PM

2016-09-26T23:14:14-04:00

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member Id have to agree with Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS as he said it better than I could have. I think he should be prosecuted if he ever returns. No pardons.

Response by CPT Chris Loomis made Sep 26 at 2016 11:54 PM

2016-09-26T23:54:58-04:00

Response by SPC Harold Bustamante made Feb 17 at 2021 12:47 PM

2021-02-17T12:47:43-05:00

Yes! As our industrial military complex private sector and corrupt look other way elements in govt or DOD. As a citizen, independent and Veteran ! Snowden and Manning need to be pardon and not manipulated. Truth is truth! Manning had no way to report on the level of war crimes and killing of innocence! Because that video of our choppers killing innocent Iraq’s and reporters and then not treating wounded is a crime! Moral crime ! The fact our system is going over our sovereignty to abuse our technology with our private lives! Snowden had no choice. Govt/DOD is known to shut down anyone who speaks morally bad about us. That’s not a muture way of accepting facts and how to better ourselves or we are just as bad as Russia, China, Saudi’s Arabia, Turkey and all other country’s that look the other way and respect our citizens freedoms and those of others that are humans.. so Chelsea Manning needs to be released and Snowden as well. It’s called checks and balances .. I’m good to keep check and balances .. and there’s so much bullshit being hidden from us. We swore to serve and protect.. that goes not mean the reputation of the DOD but of the citizens of our diverse country in the modern age and beyond..