• NateNate60@lemmy.world
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    2 months ago

    Whoever, owing allegiance to the United States, levies war against them or adheres to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort within the United States or elsewhere, is guilty of treason

    18 USC §2381

    • Tolookah@discuss.tchncs.de
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      2 months ago

      You missed the next part “unless it’s election season, or they held office at the time, because then it might be official treason, and that’s okay.”

      • NateNate60@lemmy.world
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        2 months ago

        No, this law was last used to prosecute Cold War spies.

        Snowden was prosecuted for leaking national secrets, not treason. To be fair, he is technically guilty, but it would be a travesty of justice for him to be punished for it. I’m glad the Justice Department decided to let him off.