The first question Obama fielded concerned the commutation of Chelsea Manning's prison sentence. WikiLeaks chief Julian Assange has previously given his word that if the US decided to lighten Manning's sentence he would welcome extradition to the US. But Obama remained coy on the issue.
Assange argues that a Virginia court launched a secret grand jury order against WikiLeaks years ago. The accusations in Sweden are merely a ploy for the US to exercise its indictment of Assange, according to the leaker. During Manning's trial, a segment of the sealed grand jury materials was shared by US investigators with Manning's attorney. Further, the probe into Assange and WikiLeaks started as early as September 23, 2010, long before the US Attorney General acknowledged the ongoing investigation. The Justice Department considers the WikiLeaks investigation a national security concern.
In January, 2011, the DOJ secretly ordered a certain Mountain View company, Google, to provide a full report on "records or other information" that would be relevant for an "ongoing criminal investigation."
Nevertheless, hours before Obama's press conference, WikiLeaks said that Assange is "still happy" to pack his bags for America on the premise that "all his rights are guaranteed."
— WikiLeaks (@wikileaks) January 18, 2017
Obama was further pressed on whether WikiLeaks' publication of the DNC and John Podesta email leaks, and the news outlet's advocacy of Manning's sentence reduction presented an issue. "I don't see a contradiction," Obama said.
Manning was slated to remain in prison until 2045 under a 35-year sentence ordered by a US Army court martial in August of 2013. "The sentence she received was very disproportionate to what other leakers served," he said. Obama explicated "Let's be clear, Chelsea Manning has served a tough prison sentence," which could be considered an understatement. American journalist Glenn Greenwald said in recent days that in conversations with Manning she disclosed that she has attempted suicide twice in the past twelve months. What's more, human rights groups globally have cheered in celebration Manning's commutation.
"Great news!" Elaine Pearson, Australia Director at Human Rights Watch, said Tuesday. "Next, he should pardon [Edward] Snowden." Pearson also argues comparable legal constraints be lifted against Assange.
— Elaine Pearson (@PearsonElaine) January 18, 2017
Icelandic MP Birgitta Jonsdottir recently told Sputnik News, "I hope that this will indicate this vandetta towards whistleblowers, that era, is finished."
Manning relayed documentation and video footage of US military forces committing war crimes, including the murder of journalists. Manning's acts landed her a court martial and harsh prison conditions, despite her admirable intent to shine a light on individuals who did not represent her country well. But Manning must, in the words of Greenwald, "stay strong," as the sentence reduction requires that she remain in federal custody until 17 May when she will finally be freed.
Meanwhile, Assange has resided in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London for five years. He has been accused of sexual misconduct in Sweden, but many have alleged that these charges engineered by Washington to ruin his credibility. Other theories assert that the rape allegations are a way to effectively censor Assange's astonishing streak of publicizing revealing information were he to end up in jail. Assange's legal counsel has said that the international icon, famous to some and infamous to others, is prepared to begin discussions on the terms of his extradition. Assange pointed out, however, that Manning was commuted, and not pardoned, which could alter the terms of negotiation.
