US Congressmen James McGovern and Thomas Massie have urged President Joe Biden to pardon Wikileaks founder Julian Assange, expressing concerns about the precedent set for prosecuting journalists and whistleblowers with espionage offenses. Assange pled guilty to violating US espionage law in June 2024 in a deal that allowed him to return home to Australia after a 14-year legal battle.
In their letter to the president, McGovern and Massie emphasized the importance of sending a clear message that journalists and media outlets will not be targeted or investigated for doing their jobs. They highlighted the potential risks to press freedom posed by prosecuting publishers under the Espionage Act, noting that this was the first time the Act had been used against a publisher.
The congressmen acknowledged the resolution of Assange’s criminal case and extradition dropped, allowing him to reunite with his family and return to Australia. However, they expressed their deep concern over the requirement for Assange to plead guilty to felony charges, which could set a harmful legal precedent for journalists.
Assange’s brother, Gabriel Shipton, and wife, Stella Assange, are currently in Canberra, Australia, advocating for a pardon for Assange. They are planning a Pardon Assange campaign in Washington in January, urging Biden to take action before leaving office. The campaign also calls on Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to advocate for a pardon in his farewell phone call with Biden.
A petition for the campaign argues that by granting a pardon to Julian Assange, President Biden can correct a grave injustice and reaffirm his commitment to defending democracy and press freedom.
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