Trump, Known for Frequent Pardons, Demands Deal from Assange

Russia Denies Allegations with Conditions
Additional Controversy Expected Amid Pardoning Debate of Close Aides
White House Immediately Refutes
Defense Deputy Secretary and Others Continue to Be Targeted

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Baek Jong-min] Testimony has emerged that U.S. President Donald Trump, who has been criticized for frequently granting pardons to close associates, also demanded a pardon as a bargaining chip from Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks. Meanwhile, those who gave testimony unfavorable to him and ended up on his 'hit list' are being forced to resign one after another.

According to local media including The New York Times (NYT) on the 19th (local time), Assange's lawyer Edward Fitzgerald revealed at a preliminary extradition hearing held at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London that President Trump offered a pardon on the condition that Assange deny allegations that Russia was behind the hacking of the Democratic Party during the 2016 presidential election.

The offer was conveyed to Assange, who was living in asylum at the Ecuadorian Embassy in London, in August 2017. At that time, President Trump made a secret deal proposal through Dana Rohrabacher, a pro-Russia Republican member of the House of Representatives.

Lawyer Fitzgerald stated in court that "(according to the testimony of Assange's lawyer Jennifer Robinson) Representative Rohrabacher met with Assange and, under President Trump's instructions, offered Assange a pardon or another way out," adding, "The condition was that Assange would say... that the DNC data leak was unrelated to Russia."

It is widely assessed that President Trump laid the groundwork for his election by focusing attacks on Hillary Clinton, the Democratic candidate at the time, using emails hacked from the Democratic National Committee (DNC) during the last presidential election.

U.S. authorities concluded in their investigation of the Russiagate incident that hackers breached the DNC servers and passed the stolen data to WikiLeaks. This implies that Russia interfered in the U.S. election to support President Trump's victory.

Recognizing the gravity of the matter, the White House immediately refuted the claims as complete fabrications. Given that President Trump had pardoned seven people and commuted sentences for four others the day before, active defense was necessary amid the controversy. White House spokesperson Stephanie Grisham claimed, "This is a complete fabrication and a blatant lie," and asserted, "The President knows very little about Representative Rohrabacher."

On the other hand, President Trump is wielding a ruthless blade against those who have opposed him. Deputy Secretary of Defense John Rood also joined the ranks of the scapegoats. On the same day, President Trump tweeted, "I thank Deputy Secretary Rood for his service to our country and wish him luck in his future endeavors," sharing articles about Rood's resignation. This was seen as a 'tweeted dismissal.'

Deputy Secretary Rood did not just accept this passively. In his resignation letter, he stated, "According to Secretary of Defense Mark Esper, I understand that you requested my resignation," and added, "Since senior administration officials appointed by the President serve at his pleasure, I will resign effective February 28, 2020." U.S. media reported that Rood was placed on the hit list after giving testimony unfavorable to President Trump related to the 'Ukraine scandal.'

The Department of Justice, which is pursuing legal action against Trump's close associates, was also targeted for 'purification.' On the same day, President Trump claimed he is the best law enforcement officer and urged immediate personnel changes against Attorney General William Barr.