The US Government vs Julian Assange
- th1sandth8tcom
- Jun 14
- 6 min read
Julian Assange has a long, complicated past. But regardless of what you think of him and what he did, you should care about what happens to him. Here’s why – Before Snowden, There Was WikiLeaks
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The US Government vs Julian Assange – Julian Assange has a long, complicated past. But regardless of what you think of him and what he did, you should care about what happens to him. Here’s why – Before Snowden, There Was WikiLeaks
Check out two very solid documentaries on Assange for a deeper understanding of him as a person - Risk (2016), by Laura Poitras (we used a little footage from that doc in the intro) We Steal Secrets (2013), by Alex Gibney
Let's dive into the complex case of Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, and the implications of his actions for press freedom, government transparency and whistleblowing. Harris explores Assange's motivations, the significant leaks published by WikiLeaks, and the legal and ethical implications of his actions. He begins by providing context on Assange's background and the creation of WikiLeaks, a platform designed to allow whistleblowers to anonymously leak classified information, highlighting some of the most significant leaks facilitated by WikiLeaks, including the "Collateral Murder" video, which showed a U.S. Apache helicopter firing on and killing civilians and journalists in Iraq.
Harris begins by outlining the creation of WikiLeaks in 2006, emphasizing Assange's mission to expose corruption and promote transparency. WikiLeaks quickly gained notoriety for publishing classified documents and revealing government secrets, challenging the traditional media's role and shaking the foundations of political and corporate power. The video then explores the controversy surrounding Assange and WikiLeaks, particularly their role in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Harris discusses how WikiLeaks released emails from the Democratic National Committee and Hillary Clinton's campaign manager, which many believe contributed to Clinton's defeat; one of my favorite parts of the video is when Trump praises WikiLeaks as “great independent journalism” for exposing Clinton’s emails and then reframes when under scrutiny for overseeing illegal covert operations claiming Assange to be “a hostile, terrorist organization”. At 6:30/7:00, Harris discusses the New York Times breaking the news about the Pentagon's secret research on UFOs, a story that gained significant attention thanks to WikiLeaks – just one example of how WikiLeaks brought hidden information to public awareness.
Harris also delves into the legal challenges faced by Assange, including allegations of sexual assault in Sweden and his eventual seeking of asylum in the Ecuadorian embassy in London from 2012-2019. The video highlights the complex web of legal and political factors at play, with the U.S. government seeking Assange's extradition to face charges related to the WikiLeaks releases. Harris notes the broader context of these allegations, suggesting that many believe they were merely a pretext to eventually extradite Assange to the United States. At 14:00, Harris discusses the U.S. government's charges against Assange under the Espionage Act, accusing him of conspiring with Chelsea Manning to obtain and publish classified documents, marking a significant escalation in the legal battle, raising concerns about press freedom and the criminalization of investigative journalism. Julian Assange's case is particularly unprecedented as he is the first person to be charged under the Espionage Act without ever having been a U.S. government employee or contractor, setting a dangerous precedent that could have far-reaching implications for press freedom and the ability of journalists to publish classified information in the public interest.
Harris then highlights some of WikiLeaks' most impactful releases, including (but not limited to): https://x.com/thepolllady/status/1805912910687793244?s=46&t=fB2gq21h6f4nPN1Dkcr51g
Collateral Murder (2010): A video showing a U.S. military helicopter attack in Baghdad, killing civilians and journalists. This leak sparked global outrage and highlighted the brutality of war.
Afghan War Diary (2010): A collection of over 75,000 documents detailing the war in Afghanistan, revealing previously unknown civilian casualties and corruption.
Iraq War Logs (2010): Another massive leak of documents that exposed human rights abuses and civilian deaths in Iraq.
U.S. Diplomatic Cables (2010): Over 250,000 cables from U.S. embassies worldwide, revealing candid assessments of foreign leaders and exposing diplomatic secrets.
Guantanamo Bay Files (2011): Hundreds of classified documents detailing the conditions and treatment of detainees at the U.S. military prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Syria Files (2012): More than 2 million emails from Syrian political figures, ministries, and companies, providing insight into the Syrian government's actions during the early stages of the civil war.
Global Intelligence Files (2012): Over 5 million emails from the private intelligence company Stratfor, revealing the company's surveillance activities and ties to government agencies.
DNC Leaks (2016): Thousands of emails from the Democratic National Committee, which exposed bias against Bernie Sanders in the 2016 U.S. presidential primary and led to the resignation of DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz.
Podesta Emails (2016): Over 20,000 emails from Hillary Clinton's campaign chairman John Podesta, which revealed internal campaign strategies and controversies.
The Yemen Files (2016): Over 500 documents from the United States embassy in Sana'a, Yemen.The documents provided insights into U.S. operations in Yemen, including military support and drone strikes. This release shed light on the U.S.'s covert involvement in the Yemen conflict and the broader implications for Middle Eastern geopolitics.
Vault 7 (2017): A massive collection of documents detailing the CIA's hacking tools and capabilities, including the agency's ability to hack smartphones, smart TVs, and other devices.
CIA Hacking Tools (2017): A series of leaks codenamed "Year Zero," "Dark Matter," "Marble," and "Grasshopper," which further exposed the CIA's hacking capabilities and cyber weapons.
ICE Patrol (2018): A database containing personal information of over 9,000 U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) employees, released as part of WikiLeaks' ongoing coverage of immigration issues.
OPCW Douma Docs (2019): A collection of documents and emails from the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), which raised questions about the organization's investigation into an alleged chemical attack in Douma, Syria.
Central to the video's analysis is the question of whether Assange and WikiLeaks should be considered journalists and afforded the same protections as traditional media outlets. Harris presents arguments from both sides, with some viewing Assange as a champion of transparency and press freedom, while others see him as a reckless actor who endangers national security and individuals' privacy. The video also raises important questions about the role of whistleblowers in a democracy and the balance between government secrecy and the public's right to know. At 21:30, Harris expands the discussion to the broader fight for transparency in the digital age. He emphasizes the role of whistleblowers and independent media in exposing corruption and abuses of power, arguing that Assange's case could set a dangerous precedent for future whistleblowers and journalists and lead to abuses of power and erosion of public trust. Harris's discussion of the broader implications for press freedom is particularly compelling as he raises critical questions about the future of investigative journalism and the potential repercussions of prosecuting individuals who expose uncomfortable truths. By situating Assange's case within the larger context of the fight for transparency, Harris encourages a deeper understanding of the stakes involved. The video provides a nuanced and thought-provoking look at a complex and polarizing figure. By exploring the various legal, political, and ethical dimensions of the Assange case, Harris encourages viewers to grapple with the difficult questions surrounding press freedom, government transparency, and the role of whistleblowers in a democratic society. The video serves as a reminder of the high stakes involved in these issues and the ongoing need for public discourse and debate.
What Harris fails to mention is The CIA's plot to assassinate Assange (led by Mike Pompeo). The CIA's alleged plot to assassinate Assange is a chilling reminder of the lengths to which the U.S. government is willing to go to silence whistleblowers and journalists who expose its secrets. This revelation is deeply undemocratic and antithetical to the values of a free press and open society, underscoring the urgent need for greater transparency, accountability, and protection for those who have the courage to speak truth to power, even in the face of grave personal risk. The fact that such a plot could even be considered by a government agency tasked with upholding the law is a disturbing indictment of the erosion of democratic norms and the unchecked power of the national security state. It is a stark warning of the dangers posed by government secrecy and the importance of defending the rights of journalists and whistleblowers in an age of increasing surveillance and repression.
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