I think not, HJ.
According to the Constitution:
“Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court.”
Snowden has not been accused of levying war against the US, siding with our enemies or giving them aid and comfort. He has been accused of unauthorized release of classified information, theft of this information and, weirdly, espionage, even though his actions gave the world access to secret information, something that goes against conventional understanding of espionage.
Similar charges were brought against Daniel Ellsburg, for releasing the classified Pentagon Papers to the world. If Nixon hadn’t waged a campaign to smear him by illegal bugging and break-ins, he would probably still be in prison. Would that have been appropriate?
I think not, HJ.
According to the Constitution:
“Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court.”
Snowden has not been accused of levying war against the US, siding with our enemies or giving them aid and comfort. He has been accused of unauthorized release of classified information, theft of this information and, weirdly, espionage, even though his actions gave the world access to secret information, something that goes against conventional understanding of espionage.
Similar charges were brought against Daniel Ellsburg, for releasing the classified Pentagon Papers to the world. If Nixon hadn’t waged a campaign to smear him by illegal bugging and break-ins, he would probably still be in prison. Would that have been appropriate?
There’s no treason here.