Edward Snowden, in 2013 became an American whistleblower who copied and leaked highly classified information from the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), both of which he was an employee of, to the American people via the media. Snowden did not do this to gain anything, or to harm anyone. He did not do this to betray his country, but to actually give an honest look at what the United States government, and those alike can do and are doing to it's citizens - Spying on them! Snowden himself has described it as "to inform the public as to that which is done in their name and that which is done against them." 

Snowden revealed numerous global surveillance programs, many run by the NSA and the Five Eyes Intelligence Alliance, showing how the government uses our own technology (smartphones, computers, smart devices,) to spy on and record citizens without their knowledge and against their will.

In doing so, the United States Government chose themselves over the People of the US, and charged Snowden with 2 counts of Violating the Espionage Act of 1917.

When the news was released and the US Government took action against him. He was forced to flee to Russia, where he was given asylum rights for a year, before allowing permanent residency in October of 2020. However Russia is not where his family is. It's not where his home is. It's not where he belongs!

Edward Snowden let the people of the United States know exactly what we wanted to know, and more importantly, what is our RIGHT to know. Edward Snowden is a national hero. On September 2nd, 2020, a U.S. federal court ruled that the U.S. intelligence's mass surveillance program that was exposed by Edward Snowden was illegal and likely unconstitutional. Nonetheless, the charges against him still stand, and unlike a normal criminal charge (which he should not be charged with anyways) the Espionage Act treats patriotic whistleblowers the same as they would a foreign spy. Edward Snowden is no such thing. He would not be allowed a fair and speedy trial. He would not be allowed to "face his accusor(s)," he wouldn't even be allowed to a fair legal defense. If Edward Snowden were to come back to the United States right now. He would be jailed indefinitely in solitary confinement for the rest of his life with no chance of bail or a way to please his case. Even if a court were to hear his case, they would not allow him to present intent, which is huge in a matter of law, and he would not be able to present evidence of his innocence.

Not only does the Espionage Act need to be completely changed;

Edward Snowden needs a Presidential Pardon to be able to freely come home to the United States of America where the belongs!!!