Assange alleges pardon offered
White House denies Russia coverup claim
Julian Assange’s lawyers told a London court that they will provide evidence that U.S. President Donald Trump was prepared to offer the Wikileaks founder a pardon if he “played ball” about leaks of Democratic National Committee emails.
At a preliminary hearing Wednesday, Assange’s lawyer Edward Fitzgerald asked the court to allow more witness statements during the extradition hearing that will start next week. The new information includes a witness statement by Jen Robinson, another of Assange’s lawyers, that deals with the alleged offer made by thenu.s. Representative Dana Rohrabacher, he told the court.
The witness statement will address “Mr. Rohrabacher going to see Mr. Assange, and saying on instructions of the president, offering pardon or some other way out if Mr. Assange played ball and said the Russians had nothing to do with” the leaks, Fitzgerald said.
The White House on Wednesday denied such an offer had been made to Assange.
“The President barely knows Dana Rohrabacher other than he’s an ex-congressman,” Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham said. “He’s never spoken to him on this subject or almost any subject. It is a complete fabrication and a total lie.”
Trump has shown a willingness to grant pardons to political allies and well-connected individuals convicted of white-collar crimes. He issued a slew of such clemencies on Tuesday, including to former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich, who was convicted of public corruption in 2011, and financier Michael Milken, who was convicted of securities fraud in 1990. Milken’s pardon in particular was backed by many longtime Trump allies.
The DNC has accused Trump of conspiring with Russia and Wikileaks to hack Hillary Clinton’s emails in the run-up to the 2016 election. A U.S. district judge tossed a lawsuit brought by the DNC last year, but questions continue about Trump’s relationship with Russia.
The U.S. has charged Assange with 18 counts related to endangering national security by conspiring to obtain and disclose classified information.