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Deep state whistleblower Edward Snowden may be on the verge of a breakthrough with the incoming Trump administration.
The high-profile fugitive, who has lived in Russia since 2013 after exposing classified NSA documents revealing an extensive U.S. surveillance program, has long been a controversial figure. While praised by left-wing and free speech advocates, Snowden has typically faced skepticism from Republicans.
However, insiders told The Post that Snowden now has influential allies in President-elect Trump’s cabinet.
Trump’s pick for Director of National Intelligence, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, co-sponsored a resolution in September 2020 urging the U.S. to drop all charges against Snowden. According to a source close to Gabbard, clemency for Snowden remains a priority for her, and she is expected to push for it during Trump’s second term.
“I certainly think if asked, that is the direction she would push,” the insider said.
Gabbard had previously teamed up with Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz, who co-sponsored the resolution. Gaetz, initially nominated for attorney general, withdrew his name but remains influential within Trump’s circle. “Matt has a wonderful future, and I look forward to watching all of the great things he will do!” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post after Gaetz’s withdrawal.
Another key figure advocating for Snowden is Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump’s presumptive Health and Human Services Secretary. Kennedy declared at the Libertarian National Convention in May that he would “pardon Edward Snowden” and, a month earlier, even pledged to build a statue in his honor.
Reps for Kennedy did not respond to The Post’s request for comment.
While Vice President-elect J.D. Vance has not publicly weighed in on Snowden’s case, sources close to him suggest he would likely support clemency. “Course correcting the deep state and intelligence community’s lack of safeguards, oversight, and transparency is something he would want,” one insider said.
Trump himself nearly acted on the issue during his first term. In late 2020, reports suggested he was “strongly considering” a pardon for Snowden but faced resistance from top officials, including then-Attorney General Bill Barr and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who argued that Snowden’s actions harmed national security. Neither Barr nor Pompeo are expected to hold significant roles in Trump’s second term.
“Ed Snowden is a whistleblower who exposed the crimes of others, yet he’s the one who’s been punished while the criminals remain in power. It’s hard to think of a more grotesque injustice. Anyone who argues against his pardon is your enemy,” said Tucker Carlson, a close ally of Trump.
Trump’s team declined to comment to The Post.
Snowden, speaking through his attorney Ben Wizner, expressed hope: “This is exactly the kind of case that the pardon power was created for. He broke the law in the public interest, for love of country, and he’s paid a price. He does not belong in exile.”
