Trump Cabinet picks increase odds Edward Snowden could see life of freedom in the US
If President-elect Donald Trump’s wishes come to fruition, Tulsi Gabbard will lead U.S. intelligence and Matt Gaetz will head the Justice Department, potentially paving the way for whistle-blower Edward Snowden to find freedom in the United States. Gabbard, a former Hawaii House Democrat, and Gaetz, a former House Republican from Florida, will face Senate confirmation, a process that may be complicated by their unconventional views on Snowden’s actions.
Both Gabbard and Gaetz have been vocal advocates for Snowden, co-sponsoring legislation that called for dropping all charges against him. Gabbard, in particular, made promises during her 2020 presidential campaign to protect whistle-blowers like Snowden, emphasizing the importance of the information he revealed about the NSA’s surveillance programs. Gaetz took to social media, posting a simple yet powerful message: “Pardon @Snowden.”
Snowden made headlines in 2013 when he leaked classified documents detailing the U.S. government’s surveillance activities to journalists. His actions led to charges of espionage and ultimately forced him to seek asylum in Russia, where he remains to this day. The information he made public shed light on the extensive data collection practices of the NSA and other intelligence agencies, prompting a global debate on privacy and government oversight.
Despite the controversy surrounding his actions, Snowden maintains that he was acting in the public interest by exposing the extent of government surveillance. He has expressed a desire to return to the U.S. but only under the condition of a fair trial, something that the government has so far refused to guarantee.
The prospect of Gabbard and Gaetz taking on key roles in the Trump administration raises hopes for Snowden’s potential pardon or at least a reconsideration of his case. However, not everyone is supportive of this idea. Former deputy director of national intelligence, Sue Gordon, warned against pardoning Snowden, citing the damage he caused to national security and U.S. interests.
While Trump himself has previously called Snowden a “bad guy,” he hinted at a possible pardon during his 2020 campaign. Snowden, on the other hand, has made it clear that his priority is not seeking a pardon but rather a fair trial that would allow him to return to the U.S. and defend his actions in court.
As the debate over Snowden’s fate continues, the potential appointment of Gabbard and Gaetz to key positions in the Trump administration adds a new layer of complexity to the ongoing saga of the notorious whistle-blower. Only time will tell if Snowden will finally find the freedom he seeks or if he will remain a fugitive in exile.
