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
Topic ID

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.