A US citizen who harms the USA may be a traitor to that state. A foreigner such as Assange most certainly is not. So the suggested dichotomy is false.
In general principle, they're not mutually exclusive. Nobody is entirely hero or entirely villain. Obviously the Australian Assange can't be a traitor to the USA, though he encouraged and supported people who could be accused of that and his actions could be called criminal (indeed, technically now are).
I think you are mistaken. Only the USA is so arrogant as to think that its laws apply to everyone in the world.
The first obligation of a government is to protect its citizens from harm and, certainly, conquest and destruction. Assange violated the safety and national security of the people of the United States, its own state sovereignty, its institutions, values and so on. Assange violated US law in these respects. He therefore is subject to US laws, Constitutional due processes which were promised to the UK courts during their multiple extradition hearings over several years, and for the consequences of his crimes against the United States and its people. If the USG does not protect its people then who will or would. The USG worked for a dozen years and more beforehand to get its hands on Assange the America Hater and the USG made his daily life miserable for the past dozen years at the least. Now this is the outcome initiated by the USG, ie, Assange plead guilty to espionage in violation of US laws and its peoples' safety and security -- and to the great risk of US security operatives abroad -- and was released to his native country which is a major US ally of long standing, Australia, at the request of its prime minister and parliament. Moreover, Assange was supported and hosted by Putin who is hellbent to destroy the West and the United States in particular. The USG did its duty and pursued its responsibility and obligation to the people of the United States and its allies who are negatively affected by Assange and his hate of the West and the US in particular.
Assange targeted the United States principally and almost exclusively.
So why did he collude with Russian agents, and why didnt he publish the incriminating stuff he had on Putin?
Traitor. National secret should STAY secrets when it comes to our defense as a nation.
It is about ****in' time this is resoulved. It's also time to allow Edward Snowden a Plea deal that will allow him to return to the U.S. with a short sentence, (shorter that Steve Bannon). No one is above the law barring a 1st Amendment constitutional challenge.
You are just another American who believe the USA has the right to rule the world. Insular and ignorant in equal measure. As it happens I am not an "America hater" but comments such as yours can only encourage such sentiments.
The holdup on the settlement was Assange refused to set foot on U.S. soil, the Northern Mariana Islands are affiliated to the U.S. while nearer his native Australia.
Not only the U.S., "Bush, Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld and their legal advisers Alberto Gonzales, David Addington, William Haynes, Jay Bybee and John Yoo were tried (& found Guilty) in absentia in Malaysia."
You miss the point. The people listed are (I think) all US citizens. What I am saying is that US law does not impose any obligation upon foreigners, other those who are visiting the USA:The holdup on the settlement was Assange refused to set foot on U.S. soil, the Northern Mariana Islands are affiliated to the U.S. while nearer his native Australia.
Not only the U.S., "Bush, Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld and their legal advisers Alberto Gonzales, David Addington, William Haynes, Jay Bybee and John Yoo were tried (& found Guilty) in absentia in Malaysia."
"The International Criminal Court (ICC or ICCt)[2] is an intergovernmental organization and international tribunal seated in The Hague, Netherlands. It is the first and only permanent international court with jurisdiction to prosecute individuals for the international crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and the crime of aggression. The ICC is distinct from the International Court of Justice, an organ of the United Nations that hears disputes between states.
Established in 2002 pursuant to the multilateral Rome Statute, the ICC is considered by its proponents to be a major step toward justice,[3] and an innovation in international law and human rights.[4] However, it has faced a number of criticisms. Some governments have refused to recognise the court's assertion of jurisdiction, with other civil groups also accusing the court of bias, Eurocentrism and racism.[5] Others have also questioned the effectiveness of the court as a means of upholding international law."
Does not cover espionage.
It is amusing that you think that someone who "is signing his own death warrant" is also a "coward".
I guess someone missed the point. Seems other countries are also so arrogant,
So cyber criminals sitting in Russia or China and who have extorted US businesses and citizens have not broken US law?
For sure and Assange consciously, willfully and malevolently worked to cost American lives that were operating in the defense of the United States, its people and The American Way of Life. Assange was hosted and supported by Putin in Russia. Donald Trump proclaimed during his campaign for Potus in 2016, "I love Wikileaks." So the USG by its rights, responsibilities and obligations to defend the American people shut him down. Now that the US has released the convicted felon to his native government of Australia, it is incumbent on Canberra to assure Assange never again strikes against America. I share the confidence the Australian government will fulfill its responsibility and obligations in this respect.