Don't Fall For It, Ed

[Minimalist]

Can't trust lawyers and/or politicians.

https://www.yahoo.com/politics/eric-hold...63066.html

Eric Holder: The Justice Department could strike deal with Edward Snowden

[vorlon13]

I would advise Snowden to exercise EXTREME caution when dealing with the Justice Department. They are under no obligation at all to truthfully propose a 'deal' and can freely lie to Snowden and make any guaranty they want to get him back and then not honor it, and Snowden will have absolutely no recourse.

Even assuming the current administration for reasons totally unfathomable were 'sincere' in making a proposal, subsequent administrations (of any persuasion) would be under no obligation to honor it.

{disclaimer; I tangled with D.I.S.C.O. in the past and have a VERY jaundiced view of just about everything to do with clearances, secrecy and all the other spook world folderol}

[Faith No More]

If I were him, the only way I would return the U.S. would be with a binding international agreement of some sort in which sanctions would be put against the U.S. if they try to charge him. Coming home with anything less than that would show deep naïveté. I mean, no one's ever got burned when the U.S. Government said, "Trust me," right?

Of course, I have no idea how realistic of a scenario that is, but Ed better be reminding himself of the shady nature of our government every time he starts feeling homesick.

[Pyrrho]

The only way I would return to the U.S. if I were Snowden, is if he first received a Presidential Pardon for any and all crimes he may have previously committed.  It would have to be worded in a way that it does not just list specific crimes they have talked about charging him with, but that he is pardoned for everything he may have done.

[Jackalope]

The only way I would return to the U.S. if I were Snowden, is if he first received a Presidential Pardon for any and all crimes he may have previously committed.  It would have to be worded in a way that it does not just list specific crimes they have talked about charging him with, but that he is pardoned for everything he may have done.

Pretty much this.

AFAIK, going against a presidential pardon is without precedent, and I doubt very seriously the Justice department would be willing to do so.

I can't see anything less giving Snowden the assurance that he'll stay out of prison - and even so, he should expect a lengthy debriefing in custody.

[Minimalist]

Sadly,  our government has a shitty history of keeping its word.

Just ask the Indians.

[Pyrrho]

The only way I would return to the U.S. if I were Snowden, is if he first received a Presidential Pardon for any and all crimes he may have previously committed.  It would have to be worded in a way that it does not just list specific crimes they have talked about charging him with, but that he is pardoned for everything he may have done.

Pretty much this.

AFAIK, going against a presidential pardon is without precedent, and I doubt very seriously the Justice department would be willing to do so.

I can't see anything less giving Snowden the assurance that he'll stay out of prison - and even so, he should expect a lengthy debriefing in custody.

Going against a Presidential Pardon would be unconstitutional, as it is a specific power granted by the U.S. Constitution to the President.

And I agree, anything less and he is going to be looking at time in jail.

[abaris]

Going against a Presidential Pardon would be unconstitutional, as it is a specific power granted by the U.S. Constitution to the President.

But accidents can still happen.