Lawmakers demand Biden pardon Julian Assange for press freedom

In a notable call for press freedom, U.S. Representatives James McGovern from Massachusetts and Thomas Massie from Kentucky recently wrote a letter to President Joe Biden urging him to pardon Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks. This letter coincides with Assange's plea deal in June, where he pleaded guilty to charges that could have potentially led to severe prison time, largely under the Espionage Act. Assange, who was previously facing extradition to the U.S. and spent years avoiding legal consequences, reached an agreement that allowed him to serve time already served instead of facing the possibility of spending up to 175 years in prison. This situation arises from allegations against him associated with publishing classified, sensitive documents leaked by a whistleblower, which detailed U.S. military activities and alleged war crimes. The actions taken by the current administration, particularly the withdrawal of the extradition request, were initially appreciated by McGovern and Massie, but the representatives expressed concern over the precedent set by the charges Assange pleaded guilty to under the Espionage Act, which they argue could pose a threat to journalistic freedoms in the U.S. They highlighted the implications of prosecuting a publisher under such laws, suggesting it could deter journalists from reporting on classified information in the future. Notably, the Obama administration previously refrained from prosecuting Assange, recognizing the potential negative impact on the freedom of the press. The lawmakers emphasized that a pardon would reinforce a message that the current government does not target journalistic activities and would prevent opening legal avenues for prosecuting journalists for simply doing their jobs. This comes at a critical time as Assange's family and supporters, including his wife Stella and father, have also called upon Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to advocate for a presidential pardon during a farewell call with Biden. The legal complexities surrounding Assange’s situation have drawn significant public and media interest, raising questions about governmental transparency, accountability, and the defense of free speech.