White House officials insisted on Tuesday that a tweet from WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange had no bearing on President Obama’s decision to commute the sentence of Chelsea Manning.
Chelsea Manning was convicted of leaking sensitive information to WikiLeaks, actions that happened when Manning was known as Bradley Manning.
Last September, WikiLeaks said if Obama granted Manning clemency, “Assange will agree to U.S. prison in exchange.” But White House officials said that apparent bargain didn’t have any impact on Obama’s decision.
“President’s decision to offer commutation was not influenced by public comments by Mr. Assange or the WikiLeaks organization,” according to a White House official. “I have no insight into Mr. Assange’s travel plans. I can’t speak to any charges or potential charges he may be facing from the Justice Department.”
“Chelsea Manning accepted responsibility for the crimes she committed and … served more than six years behind bars,” the official added. “The president believes those six years behind bars were sufficient.”
When asked if Manning is a traitor, the official took a shot at President-elect Donald Trump.
“Chelsea Manning is somebody who committed a serious crime, went through our criminal justice system, served more than six years behind bars, […] and after accepting responsibility for these crimes had her sentence commuted,” the official said. “As regards to who called her a traitor: That senator endorsed for president a candidate who encouraged a foreign government to hack his opponent.”
That’s an apparent reference to Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., who released a statement Tuesday saying Manning is a traitor.
