Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has distanced himself from a fundraising email that expressed sympathy for individuals involved in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. The email, titled 'We Must Free Assange!' and sent on Thursday, briefly mentioned support for those facing consequences for their participation in the riot.
The email stated, 'This is the reality that every American Citizen faces — from Ed Snowden, to Julian Assange to the J6 activists sitting in a Washington DC jail cell stripped of their Constitutional liberties.' Kennedy's campaign spokesperson, Stefanie Spear, clarified that the message was an error inserted by a new marketing contractor and did not align with Kennedy's views. The campaign has since terminated its contract with the vendor responsible for the email.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been vocal about the treatment of whistleblowers such as Julian Assange and Edward Snowden. He recently released a video petition urging President Biden to pardon Snowden, who exposed classified NSA documents in 2013, revealing government surveillance on American citizens. Kennedy emphasized Snowden's role in unveiling government overreach and advocated for his pardon.
Kennedy has also expressed support for Assange, an Australian publisher facing espionage charges in the U.S. for publishing classified military documents in 2010. He believes in championing free speech and protecting truth-tellers who risk their own freedom to safeguard the rights of others.
As a presidential hopeful, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. aims to uphold democratic and humanitarian values, emphasizing the importance of transparency and accountability in government actions. His stance on pardoning whistleblowers reflects his commitment to defending civil liberties and promoting a culture of openness and integrity in governance.
