“President’s decision to offer commutation was not influenced by public comments by Mr. Assange or the WikiLeaks organization,” according to a White House official. “I have no insight into Mr. Assange’s travel plans. I can’t speak to any charges or potential charges he may be facing from the Justice Department.”
“Chelsea Manning accepted responsibility for the crimes she committed and … served more than six years behind bars,” the official added. “The president believes those six years behind bars were sufficient.”
“Chelsea Manning is somebody who committed a serious crime, went through our criminal justice system, served more than six years behind bars, […] and after accepting responsibility for these crimes had her sentence commuted,” the official said. “As regards to who called her a traitor: That senator endorsed for president a candidate who encouraged a foreign government to hack his opponent.”
