Donald Trump Should Order Immediate Pardons for Three Heroes

It’s time for Donald Trump if elected to act decisively and grant immediate, full pardons to Julian Assange, Edward Snowden, and Chelsea Manning. These individuals are not criminals; they are heroes who risked everything to expose the deep-rooted corruption and abuses of the American government—revelations that all Americans have the right to know.

Assange, an Australian journalist, simply exercised his right to publish the truth through WikiLeaks, standing firmly on First Amendment principles. His only “crime” was revealing to the world what the U.S. government wanted to hide. Snowden, a government contractor, blew the whistle on the NSA’s sweeping, illegal mass surveillance of American citizens, exposing how our own government was secretly intercepting and storing our private phone calls and Internet communications. Manning, a United States Army soldier, courageously followed her conscience, providing Assange with key evidence of government misconduct and upholding the spirit of the Nuremberg principles by refusing to stay silent about illegal actions.

For Manning, the consequences were severe: prosecuted in a general court-martial, dishonorably discharged, and twice imprisoned. But in following her conscience, Manning refused to obey illegal orders and did the only right thing by ensuring that the American people were not deceived by their own government. This was no different from Daniel Ellsberg’s courageous release of the Pentagon Papers, which exposed lies about the Vietnam War.

As a society that claims to value truth, transparency, and justice, we must recognize Assange, Snowden, and Manning for what they truly are—heroes who sacrificed their freedom to defend ours. They deserve comprehensive and immediate pardons. Manning should also receive full back pay, veterans benefits, and a reclassified honorable discharge.

While the Democrats have shown no interest in doing what’s right, Donald Trump must make these pardons a priority as our 47th President. Assange, Snowden, and Manning have paid enough for exposing the truth. Now, it’s time to recognize their bravery and honor their contributions to justice and freedom.