Former Vice President Mike Pence had a controversial take on the Biden administration’s plea deal with WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. Pence claimed Assange endangered the lives of American troops and should not have had a plea deal.
Julian Assange endangered the lives of our troops in a time of war and should have been prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. The Biden administration’s plea deal with Assange is a miscarriage of justice and dishonors the service and sacrifice of the men and women of our…
— Mike Pence (@Mike_Pence) June 25, 2024
Assange has been essential in exposing government malfeasance and promoting transparency. WikiLeaks has released information that revealed war crimes, human rights violations, and corruption, sparking debates worldwide about the role of government secrecy. To this day, many argue that Assange’s actions are in line with the principles of free speech and the public’s right to know.
Pence got dragged on X for his post about Assange. The post currently has nearly six thousand likes and over 18 thousand comments. Here are some of the comments and ratios under Pence’s post:
You do not have a career in politics anymore. Thank goodness.
— Cernovich (@Cernovich) June 25, 2024
Julian Assange has served humanity in ways that are difficult to fully grasp. By exposing corruption, evil, and the forces causing widespread suffering, he has done a great service. You are unworthy of speaking his name.
— Chaos Coordinator (@idontexistTore) June 25, 2024
Hey Mike Pence,
The US Government endangers the world with wars based on lies.
Assange exposed some of these lies.
All you care about is your military industrial complex pals who get rich off war.
Trump never should’ve picked you.
He promotes peace.
You do not.
You suck.
— Paul A. Szypula 🇺🇸 (@Bubblebathgirl) June 25, 2024
Those who support Assange view this plea deal as a step in the right direction to protect whistleblowers and journalists who expose corruption and other wrongdoings.
He has never wavered on his anti-war stance, and that could be one of the many reasons for those opposing him.
12 years to the day since the publication of Afghan War Diaries, here is Julian Assange speaking in 2011: “The goal is an endless war, not a successful war” #FreeAssangeNOW pic.twitter.com/9Eq5fxZF5G
— WikiLeaks (@wikileaks) July 25, 2022
Assange’s case remains a contentious issue, with strong opinions on both sides. While Pence views the plea deal as a miscarriage of justice, many see it as a necessary measure to uphold the principles of transparency and protect the rights of those who dare to reveal uncomfortable truths. As the discussion around Assange’s plea deal continues, the implications for press freedom and government accountability remain critical considerations.
