Snowden Treason Debate

The cluster centers on debates over whether Edward Snowden's leaks constitute treason under US constitutional law, distinguishing it from espionage and questioning legal definitions and citizenship requirements.

➡️ Stable 0.7x Politics & Society
1,435
Comments
20
Years Active
5
Top Authors
#9000
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Activity Over Time

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Keywords

C1 US USG S3 congress.gov www.usa i.e U.S NSA treason espionage commit foreign accused guilty war charged kindly crime

Sample Comments

mikeash • May 29, 2013 • View on HN

In what way could this possibly qualify as "treason"?

tzs • Feb 9, 2012 • View on HN

What specifically are you considering treasonous?

There is no other way to put this. This is treason.

anonu • Oct 11, 2021 • View on HN

Don't know why this isn't treason. Feels like it should be...

Cthulhu_ • Apr 22, 2025 • View on HN

It's only treason if someone in power actually charges them for it.

RajT88 • Aug 4, 2025 • View on HN

Thank you for demonstrating you have not looked up the definition of Treason in the US legal system.https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/essay/artIII-S3-C1-...

tomjen3 • Jan 1, 2017 • View on HN

Any way this can be construed as not treason?

exo762 • Aug 18, 2014 • View on HN

For what? Treason? He is not a US citizen.

JohnJamesRambo • Feb 24, 2019 • View on HN

This is treason and I don’t see why it would be punished differently.

wahern • Jul 16, 2025 • View on HN

Technically anyone, but it might constitute treason for citizens of at least one country.