Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has made a bold promise to pardon NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden on his first day in office if he is elected to the White House. Snowden, who famously exposed classified NSA documents in 2013, revealing the U.S. government’s surveillance of its citizens, has been living in Russia since seeking asylum.
Kennedy Jr. released a petition calling on President Biden to pardon Snowden, stating that Snowden performed a critical public service by exposing the government’s illegal spying on American citizens. The petition includes a video in which Kennedy Jr. defends Snowden as an American hero and criticizes past presidents for labeling him a traitor.
The presidential hopeful has also expressed his intention to build a statue in honor of Snowden and WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, as a symbol of championing free speech and celebrating truth-tellers.
Kennedy Jr., who has been a vocal critic of U.S. intelligence agencies, launched his White House bid as an independent after initially challenging Biden for the Democratic Party’s nomination. He is now set to face off against Biden and Trump in the 2024 general election.
Despite Trump’s previous remarks calling Snowden a “total traitor” and suggesting he should be executed, the former president reportedly considered pardoning Snowden or Assange in the final days of his administration. Kennedy Jr. emphasizes that whistleblowers like Snowden should be revered, not prosecuted, for their efforts to protect democratic and humanitarian ideals.
The news of Kennedy Jr.’s commitment to pardoning Snowden has sparked debate and discussion on the role of whistleblowers in society and the importance of protecting free speech.
