I’m pretty sure we know what Obama’s answer will be.
Via Red Alert:
A White House petition to pardon NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden has finally reached 100,000 signatures, forcing President Obama to issue a response on the matter.
The petition attempts to pardon Snowden of any crimes he may have committed while exposing details of various controversial surveillance programs used by the NSA in monitoring for terrorist threats.
“Edward Snowden is a national hero and should be immediately issued a a full, free, and absolute pardon for any crimes he has committed or may have committed related to blowing the whistle on secret NSA surveillance programs,” the petition reads in full.
The petition reached 100,000 signatures within 24 hours of the federal government filing multiple charges of espionage against Snowden in a Virginia federal court. Because Snowden has been formally charged with a crime now, he wouldn’t be able to return to the U.S. without being prosecuted for his actions without a presidential pardon.