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‘Seems to be a split decision’: Trump says he’s to take ‘a very good look’ at idea of pardoning Snowden ‘Seems to be a split decision’: Trump says he’ll take ‘a very good look’ at idea of pardoning Snowden
(about 3 hours later)
For the second time in a week, US President Donald Trump has indicated that he might be considering pardoning former NSA contractor Edward Snowden. He noted that the issue has long transcended party lines. For the second time in a week, US President Donald Trump has indicated that he might be considering pardoning former NSA contractor Edward Snowden, noting that the issue has long transcended party lines.
Asked if he wants to pardon Snowden at the press conference in Bedminster, New Jersey, on Saturday, Trump responded that while he was “not that aware of the Snowden situation,” he would “start looking at it.” Asked if he wants to pardon Snowden at a press conference in Bedminster, New Jersey on Saturday, Trump responded that while he was “not that aware of the Snowden situation,” he would “start looking at it.”
Trump, who once labelled the former CIA contractor-turned-whistleblower a “trator,” argued that there was no consensus amongst American political establishment on the matter. Trump, who once labelled the former CIA contractor turned-whistleblower a “traitor,” argued that there is no consensus within the American political establishment on the matter.
“There are many people...it seems to be a split decision,” he said. “There are many people... it seems to be a split decision,” he said.
The attitude towards Snowden is not something that depends on a party affiliation, Trump said, noting that he has seen “many people that are very concersative and very liberal that are agree on the same issue, and they agree both ways.” People’s attitude towards Snowden is not something that depends on party affiliation, Trump said, adding that he has seen “many people that are very conservative and very liberal that agree on the same issue, and they agree both ways.”
It was not long before those who have been clamoring for Snowden’s pardon flocked to Twitter, calling on Trump to clear charges against the former contractor. Among them were Republican congressmen Senator Rand Paul (R-Kentucky) and Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Kentucky).  It was not long before those who have been clamoring for Snowden’s pardon flocked to Twitter, calling on Trump to clear the charges against the former contractor. Among them were Republican Senator Rand Paul (R-Kentucky) and Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Kentucky). 
Some have called on Trump to pardon not only Snowden, but also Wikileaks co-founder Julian Assange, arguing that they both were “truth tellers who were prosecuted for sharing the truth.” Some called on Trump to pardon WikiLeaks co-founder Julian Assange along with Snowden, saying they are both “truth tellers who were prosecuted for sharing the truth.”
Snowden has been charged with espionage and vilified by the US government for leaking a trove of documents exposing warrantless surveillance of American citizens in 2013. On a run from justice, Snowden has been living in exile in Moscow for all these years after he ended up stranded in the Russian capital when his American passport was revoked. Snowden was charged with espionage and vilified by the US government for leaking a trove of documents exposing the warrantless surveillance of American citizens in 2013. On the run from justice, Snowden has been living in exile in Moscow for all these years, after he ended up stranded in the Russian capital when his US passport was revoked.
The push for Snowden to be cleared of charges has gained momentum after Trump appeared to have softened his stance on the issue, telling the New York Post earlier this week that many people believed the whistleblower was not being treated fairly. The push for Snowden to be pardoned gained momentum after Trump appeared to have softened his stance on the issue, telling the New York Post earlier this week that many people believe the whistleblower has not been treated fairly.
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