“This would be the best decision Biden ever made,” said one supporter of the jailed WikiLeaks publisher. These words have been echoed by many as President Joe Biden considers whether or not to pardon Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks who has been held in a UK prison for over two years. The possibility of a pardon has sparked hope and excitement among supporters of Assange, who believe that this would not only be a just decision, but also a historic one.

Assange, an Australian journalist and computer programmer, rose to fame in 2010 when WikiLeaks published a series of classified documents that exposed war crimes and corruption by governments around the world. These leaks, which included the infamous “Collateral Murder” video showing a US helicopter attack in Iraq that killed civilians, sparked international debate and brought attention to issues of government transparency and accountability. However, this also made Assange a target of the US government, who has been seeking his extradition to face charges of espionage and hacking.

For the past decade, Assange has been living in exile, seeking refuge in the Ecuadorian embassy in London to avoid extradition. However, in 2019, he was arrested by British authorities after Ecuador revoked his asylum status. Since then, he has been held in Belmarsh prison, known as the UK’s most notorious maximum-security prison, where he has been subjected to inhumane conditions and denied access to proper medical care.

The case against Assange has been widely criticized by human rights organizations and journalists, who argue that the charges against him are politically motivated and pose a threat to press freedom. The US government’s indictment of Assange under the Espionage Act has raised concerns about the criminalization of journalism and the chilling effect it could have on whistleblowers and journalists who expose government wrongdoing.

This is why the possibility of a pardon from President Biden has been met with such enthusiasm. Supporters of Assange believe that a pardon would not only be a just decision, but also a chance for the US government to correct the wrongs of the past and uphold the values of freedom of the press and government transparency. It would also send a powerful message to the world that the US is committed to protecting the rights of journalists and whistleblowers.

Moreover, a pardon for Assange would also be a historic decision for President Biden. It would be a bold move that sets him apart from his predecessors and shows his commitment to upholding the principles of democracy and justice. It would also be a chance for him to fulfill his promise of restoring America’s moral leadership in the world.

But beyond the political implications, a pardon for Assange would also have a profound impact on his personal life. For the past decade, he has been living in a state of uncertainty and fear, facing the constant threat of extradition and imprisonment. A pardon would not only bring an end to this ordeal, but also allow him to reunite with his family and loved ones.

Some may argue that Assange should face the consequences of his actions and that a pardon would set a dangerous precedent. However, it is important to remember that the charges against him are not about the content of the leaks, but rather the means through which they were obtained. And as journalists, it is our duty to hold those in power accountable and expose the truth, even if it means challenging the status quo.

In the words of one of Assange’s supporters, a pardon from President Biden would be the best decision he ever made. It would not only be a victory for Assange and his supporters, but also for the values of democracy, freedom of the press, and government transparency. It is time for the US government to do the right thing and grant Julian Assange the pardon he deserves.