Topic: Chelsea Manning

The Washington Post reported that Secretary Pete Hegseth allegedly ordered a "double tap" strike on a suspected drug boat, killing survivors who were clinging to the wreckage. Critics argue this would be a violation of the laws of war regarding imminent threats. The hosts compare the media's current outrage to the lack of accountability for similar strikes in Iraq revealed by Chelsea Manning and Julian Assange.

Julian Assange traveled from the UK to the Northern Mariana Islands to finalize a plea deal with the U.S. Justice Department. He pleaded guilty to a single felony count of conspiring to obtain and disclose national defense information and was sentenced to time served in a British prison. The reporting highlights his return to Australia and the end of a 14-year legal standoff.

An NPR special on the late hacker Adrian Lamo, who turned in Chelsea Manning, featured a clip of tech host Leo Laporte from "The Screen Savers." The program's framing was criticized for treating Laporte as an obscure figure from the past rather than an active leader in the podcasting industry. The segment also touched on Laporte's recent comments regarding the Green New Deal.

The UK Home Secretary signed an extradition order for Julian Assange, moving him closer to trial in the United States. Journalist Chris Hedges argues that charging a non-U.S. citizen under the Espionage Act for publishing classified material sets a dangerous global precedent. This legal reach could allow the U.S. to seize any journalist worldwide who violates American security standards.

Hosts of the television program The View discussed the arrest of Julian Assange, with Joy Behar claiming Assange hacked Democratic computers to help Donald Trump win the 2016 election. Meghan McCain criticized the hypocrisy of Democrats who previously supported WikiLeaks until the release of John Podesta's emails. The commentary reflects a public perception shift where Assange is increasingly viewed as a collaborator with Russia rather than a journalistic whistleblower.

The Justice Department added 17 new charges against Julian Assange under the Espionage Act of 1917. Legal experts and journalists debate the implications for press freedom and whether the U.S. has jurisdiction over an Australian citizen operating outside American borders.

Chelsea Manning is released from a federal prison in Virginia after 62 days for refusing to testify before a grand jury regarding WikiLeaks. However, her lawyers warn that her freedom may be temporary as she faces a new subpoena. The hosts conclude the episode with final credits, a reminder of the value-for-value model, and a preview of the next broadcast.

Glenn Greenwald corrected an NPR host who introduced him as a "colleague" of Julian Assange, clarifying his role as an independent journalist. Greenwald argued that the DOJ indictment against Assange criminalizes standard investigative journalism practices, such as encouraging a source to provide more documents.

The hosts analyze the political motivations behind the arrest of Julian Assange, suggesting it may be used to revive the Russia collusion narrative or provide testimony regarding Seth Rich. They note that the current indictment specifically targets his interactions with Chelsea Manning regarding password hacking.

Australian Immigration Minister David Coleman reportedly cited David Icke's views on vaccines and global warming as grounds for his visa cancellation. The term "climate denier" is noted for its intentional linguistic link to "Holocaust denier" to discredit dissenters. Icke's ban is compared to other figures denied entry to Australia, including Chelsea Manning and Gavin McInnes, based on "character grounds."

In a clip, Chelsea Manning explains that she originally tried to leak documents to The Washington Post and The New York Times before turning to WikiLeaks. Manning claims the "technical complexities" of the mainstream media prevented them from receiving the files securely at the time. The hosts note that Manning's inspiration for contacting the Post was the movie "All the President's Men."

Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl was demoted to private and given a dishonorable discharge but received no prison time for deserting his post in Afghanistan. The sentence, which includes an automatic appeal, was influenced by President Trump's public comments calling Bergdahl a "traitor." The hosts compare the case to Chelsea Manning's and suggest Bergdahl may have been a CIA asset rather than a simple deserter.

CIA Director Mike Pompeo canceled a scheduled speech at Harvard University after the school named Chelsea Manning a visiting fellow. Former CIA Deputy Director Mike Morell also resigned his fellowship in protest, calling Manning a traitor. Harvard subsequently rescinded Manning's fellowship invitation.

Chelsea Manning, formerly Bradley Manning, gave an interview to ABC News discussing the motivation for leaking classified documents regarding civilian casualties in Iraq. The hosts comment on Manning's physical transition and voice, comparing her to other public transgender figures like Caitlyn Jenner.

Anthony Weiner pleaded guilty to transferring obscene material to a minor. Meanwhile, Kim Dotcom claimed on Twitter that he worked with the late Seth Rich to provide data to WikiLeaks, offering to provide written testimony. The hosts speculate on the safety of individuals connected to the DNC leaks, including Chelsea Manning and Weiner.

Tucker Carlson interviews a man who posted fraudulent ads offering to pay people to protest against Donald Trump. The hosts note the humor in the segment, specifically Carlson's confusion between Chelsea Manning and Peyton Manning. They credit Carlson's booking team for finding unique guests.

President Obama commutes the 35-year sentence of Chelsea Manning, leading to a debate over whistleblowing and national security. While Republican leaders like Paul Ryan call the move outrageous, others point out that no evidence of deaths resulted from the leaks. The hosts discuss the irony of Democrats celebrating Manning while simultaneously attacking WikiLeaks for the DNC email releases.

A US Army training presentation reportedly included Hillary Clinton on a slide alongside Edward Snowden and Chelsea Manning as examples of "insider threats." RT's Caleb Maupin conducted man-on-the-street interviews in Washington D.C. to gauge public opinion on whether Clinton should be classified as a security risk.

A theory circulating in WikiLeaks documents suggests Hillary Clinton was involved in a serious plane crash in December 2012, rather than a simple fall. The hosts discuss why mainstream media outlets avoid reporting on WikiLeaks data and mention that government employees are often legally barred from accessing the leaked materials, even if they are publicly available.

Life-size bronze statues of whistleblowers Chelsea Manning, Julian Assange, and Edward Snowden were unveiled in Berlin's Alexanderplatz by members of the Green Party. The sculptures are intended to celebrate freedom of speech, though the irony is noted that all three subjects are currently in prison, in exile, or facing trial.