Yahoo News Pamela Anderson calls on Trump to pardon Julian Assange: ‘It would be a perfect way to go out’
Former Baywatch star Pamela Anderson has called on outgoing US president Donald Trump to give Julian Assange a presidential pardon.
WikiLeaks founder Assange is currently incarcerated in London’s Belmarsh prison, and is wanted in the US for violation of the Espionage Act of 1917. Earlier this month, he won a legal battle to avoid being extradited to the US, a decision which is currently under appeal.
Speaking on Good Morning Britain, Anderson claimed that she had access to Trump, and was trying to persuade him to extend a pardon to Assange.
“I know that I am in his ear,” she said. “I know he is debating and we will see what happens. He has until midday on the 20th and I hope he makes that decision because I think that could add a positive to his legacy.
“I think that he is obviously against fake news and WikiLeaks is anti-fake news. It would be a perfect way to go out.”
The US authorities allege that by publishing tens of thousands of classified documents about the Iraq and Afghanistan wars back in 2010, WikiLeaks and Assange placed lives in danger.
Trump is reportedly set to pardon more than 100 people before he leaves office on 20 January.
When Good Morning Britain presenter Susanna Reid voiced scepticism that Trump would be willing to extend a pardon to Assange, Anderson responded: “I have been supporting him for a very long time and freedom of speech is really important.
“I think this would be a monumental position that Trump could take, that would help with human rights and the rights of a free press because it is a very dangerous situation if we don't have a free press.”
With Joe Biden’s inauguration just a day away, many are still unsure what to expect from the departing Trump, whose presidency has been blighted by controversy. Earlier this month, the former Apprentice star was impeached by the House of Representatives for a second time for his role in inciting the 6 January riots on Capitol Hill.
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