John Bolton on Edward Snowden
TL;DR
John Bolton staunchly views Edward Snowden as a traitor who gravely endangered national security by betraying his country's secrets.
Key Points
As UN Ambassador in 2013, he stated the information Snowden carried was highly detrimental to US national security.
He publicly advocated that Snowden committed treason and, in 2016, should receive the death penalty upon return.
He argued that publicizing US intelligence activities against China gave Beijing an unearned moral equivalence regarding cyber warfare.
Summary
John Bolton maintained a consistently hostile position toward Edward Snowden, viewing his leaks of classified information as an act of betrayal against the United States. During his tenure as UN Ambassador, Bolton asserted that the information Snowden carried was highly detrimental to national security and demanded his swift return to the US, even suggesting potential consequences against China if they harbored him. He considered the exposure of American cyber-intelligence activities globally, particularly against China, to be akin to aiding an adversary, as it gifted Beijing moral equivalence for its own cyber warfare efforts.
Bolton's condemnation extended to the most severe penalties. He publicly stated his view that Snowden committed treason and, in 2016, affirmed that the proper outcome for Snowden upon return would be a death sentence. This hardline stance remained evident even years later, as others noted his historical calls for the execution of Snowden for exposing government abuses. Furthermore, his own subsequent legal battles over classified information in a memoir drew comparisons from critics to Snowden's case.
Frequently Asked Questions
John Bolton's primary stance is that Edward Snowden is a traitor who committed treason by revealing sensitive American intelligence operations. He felt the disclosures caused grave harm to national security and undermined the nation's defense capabilities.
No, John Bolton has not changed his view; he has historically called for the most severe punishment for Snowden. He stated that Snowden ought to be convicted of treason and suggested he should face the death penalty.
While serving as UN Ambassador, John Bolton defended the NSA programs Snowden revealed, arguing they were for foreign intelligence gathering and restricted by statute from snooping on Americans. He dismissed concerns about potential abuse as having no foundation in reality.
Sources5
UN Ambassador Bolton Questions Search For Snowden
Edward Snowden's leaks are a grave threat to US national security | John Bolton | The Guardian
Pompeo Compares John Bolton to Edward Snowden, Who He Wanted Executed
John Bolton (who called for the death penalty for Edward Snowden) shared incredibly sensitive national security information through an aol account : r/BreakingPoints
Heads up, John Bolton: Edward Snowden may have to give his book money to the government
* This is not an exhaustive list of sources.