On January 27th, a group of 16 lawmakers including the Uranium One scandal whistleblower, the Squad, and Marjorie Taylor Greene has requested Washington to intervene and free WikiLeaks founder, Julian Assange. Since Assange’s arrest in the UK on April 11th, 2019, the lawmakers have been advocating for his release.
This isn’t the first time Congress has called on President Biden to pardon Assange. In October of last year, a bipartisan group of 75 congressional members wrote a letter to President Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Their letter requested that the Biden Administration ensure that the US justice system doesn’t interfere with Assange’s right to a fair trial in the UK.
The recent demand made by 16 lawmakers, from 11 states, is gaining extensive momentum. It was endorsed by Utah Rep. Chris Stewart, California Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib, and Massachusetts Rep. Ayanna Pressley from the Squad. Rep. Dalton from Washington also added that Assange’s case is important and that justice must be served.
The letter states the law enforcement agencies of the U.S. should not interfere with Assange’s right to a fair trial. The lawmakers have demanded that the U.S. government withdraw its warrant and refrain from pushing for extradition to the U.S.
The letter also stated that the case of Julian Assange has become a curious test case for the freedom of press in the age of the internet. It iterates that the issue of free expression, press freedom, or whistle-blower protection has already become contentious in an era of increasing war on the media.
The lawmakers have further highlighted the point that the U.S. justice system should not be used to target journalists, whistleblowers, or publishers for their political beliefs. In this regard, the letter requested the Biden Administration to work towards safeguarding due process and civil liberties of all citizens and residents.
The letter further emphasized that if Assange is convicted, the sentencing should be commensurate to the corresponding crime; and that the U.S. should not use its might in order to gain any undue advantage over the political opponent.
This request made by the bipartisan group of lawmakers to Biden is a milestone. This sends a strong message to the whole world that the U.S. takes matters of civil liberties, journalistic freedom, and whistle-blowing with importance. The Biden Administration setting aside the politicization of the issue should take suitable action to ensure that Julian Assange gets justice without any outside powers intervening.