Former President Donald Trump has expressed his willingness to consider pardoning WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange if elected president in November.
During a conversation with podcaster Tim Pool at the Libertarian Party’s Convention in Washington, D.C., Trump discussed various topics, including the ongoing illegal immigration crisis and his views on wars.
He also highlighted his historical meeting with North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un and his actions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
When asked about pardoning Assange, Trump stated that he would give the matter “very serious consideration.” He mentioned that he would address this topic and other issues during his speech, which he believed Pool would appreciate.
Assange has been detained at Belmarsh, a security prison in the United Kingdom since April 2019. He faces charges of espionage and computer misuse related to his alleged collaboration with former U.S. Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning, formerly known as Bradley Manning, to steal and disclose classified documents.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has accused Assange of working with Manning to unlawfully obtain and disclose classified documents.
If convicted, Assange could face up to 175 years in prison. However, London’s high court has recently granted Assange the right to appeal his extradition to the U.S.
Over the years, several lawmakers, including former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, Rep. Matt Gaetz, and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, have called for Assange to be pardoned.
Former Republican 2024 presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy has also pledged to pardon Assange if elected president.
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