via newsweek:
President Trump has been urged to pardon Edward Snowden after reportedly indicating yesterday that he was open to the idea.
The future of the former National Security Agency (NSA) contractor was being debated today after Trump told The New York Post he could consider letting Snowden return to the U.S. from Russia without having to face a lengthy prison sentence.
The suggestion not only raised the hopes of pro-Snowden campaigners who have long called for a reprieve, but gained support from Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky), who tweeted today that Trump should use his powers to pardon the exiled whistleblower.
“Employees of the U.S. government violated the Constitution and lied to Congress and the American people about it. Snowden exposed them,” Massie tweeted, quickly noted by Snowden himself. “This is bigger than him. If he’s punished for his service to the Constitution, there will be more violations of the Constitution, and more lies.”