Unlikely Unity: Greene and Ocasio-Cortez Unite, Urge Biden to Cease Assange Prosecution
Shared By Peter Boykin – American Political Commentator / Citizen Journalist / Political Candidate
Unlikely Unity Greene and Ocasio-Cortez Unite Urge Biden to Cease Assange Prosecution
Unlikely Unity: Greene and Ocasio-Cortez Unite, Urge Biden to Cease Assange Prosecution
Republican firebrand Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) and Democratic “Squad” member Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) have forged an unexpected alliance, jointly urging President Joe Biden to halt the extradition of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and dismiss charges against him.
In a poignant letter signed by 16 members of Congress, including polarized figures such as the recently censured Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) and fellow Squad members Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), as well as Republicans like Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) and Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), the bipartisan coalition highlighted the imperative role of journalists in unveiling government activities to the public.
The missive emphasized the danger of pursuing an unnecessary prosecution that might inadvertently criminalize fundamental journalistic practices, potentially stifling the free press’s critical work. Assange, incarcerated in London’s Belmarsh Prison since 2019, faces extradition to the U.S. for disseminating classified U.S. military documents and diplomatic cables over a decade ago.
The group’s collective plea underscored the potential ramifications of Assange’s prosecution on the U.S.’s diplomatic relationship with Australia, noting Assange’s Australian citizenship and lack of prior U.S. visits.
With Assange confronting 17 espionage charges and one computer misuse charge under the Espionage Act, the letter expressed concern over the Act’s misapplication, originally designed to hold government employees accountable for divulging state secrets to foreign adversaries rather than targeting journalists and whistleblowers.
Highlighting historical context, the group referenced the Justice Department’s 2013 decision under the Obama administration to abstain from prosecuting Assange, citing apprehensions about potential ramifications on press freedom—a move lauded by the signatories, including Biden during his tenure as vice president.
The coalition’s plea resonates with past acknowledgments that Assange’s prosecution could set a hazardous precedent, infringing upon press freedoms and fundamentally altering the landscape for journalists and whistleblowers.
The remarkable bipartisan stance of Greene, Ocasio-Cortez, and their colleagues underscores a shared belief in safeguarding press freedom and upholding the principles of journalistic integrity, urging President Biden to reconsider the pursuit of Assange’s extradition and charges.
[Source: Washington Examiner]
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