'They'll do anything for votes': Internet divided as Joe Biden ‘considering’ ending Julian Assange case

WASHINGTON, DC: President Joe Biden stated on Wednesday, April 10, that he is "considering" dropping the US prosecution against Julian Assange, the publisher of WikiLeaks. This comes after Donald Trump had openly discussed interfering before leaving office without doing so, stated the New York Post.

Notably, Assange has been detained in a British prison for five years, resisting attempts by the US to extradite him to face 18 charges of allegedly breaching the law by disclosing US military and diplomatic secrets back in 2010.

Joe Biden is ‘considering’ ending Julian Assange case

When asked at the White House about Australia's government's request to drop the Assange case, Biden responded, "We’re considering it."

Notably, in a speech to the Australian parliament in February, Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese declared that "enough is enough" and "this thing cannot just go on and on and on indefinitely."

This statement was made just before the Australian House of Representatives voted 86–42 in favor of urging the US and the UK to facilitate Julian Assange's return to Australia.

While the details of their private conversation remain undisclosed, Albanese met with Biden at the White House in October, with expectations that the topic would be addressed during their discussions.

On Thursday, April 11, Assange's detention at the UK's Belmarsh Prison enters its sixth year.

In May 2019, the US leveled charges against Assange, a month following his detainment by British authorities at Ecuador's embassy in London.

This detention occurred due to a breach of bail related to separate allegations of sexual assault in Sweden dating back seven years prior.

Additionally, in 2012, Ecuador provided political asylum to Assange, asserting that the Swedish allegations were part of a scheme to extradite him to the US. Nevertheless, after nearly a decade of refuge in the Ecuadorian embassy, Ecuador later withdrew its protection.

Press advocacy groups suggest that the Assange case, which revolves around accusations under the Espionage Act, could set a precedent that might extend to journalists who encourage sources to disclose sensitive information.

In 2013, Chelsea Manning, a former military intelligence analyst, was sentenced to 35 years in jail for disclosing data to Assange. In one of his last actions as president, President Obama commuted her sentence in 2017.

Internet stays divided as Joe Biden considers ending Julian Assange case

Several people on the internet stayed divided and had mixed reactions as Joe Biden said he is "considering" dropping the US prosecution against Julian Assange.

A user wrote on X, "About time...," while another added, "It's campaign time, they'll do anything for votes. Today he can even support Hamas to get votes from Muslim Americans."

A person also wrote, "Nice to see Australia finally came through for their citizen," whereas one mentioned, "Do it, stop criminalizing journalism."

One user also said, "Biden is lying as always," while another stated, "If Julian Assange violated the Espionage Act and put our national security at risk then he should be held accountable. No one is above the law."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.