Bowling Green Today

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) has joined a bipartisan group of 15 members of Congress in sending a letter to President Biden, urging him to end the extradition request and halt all prosecutorial proceedings against Australian publisher Julian Assange. The letter emphasizes the importance of preserving free speech and freedom of the press.

In the letter, the members state, "It is the duty of journalists to seek out sources, including documentary evidence, in order to report to the public on the activities of government. The United States must not pursue an unnecessary prosecution that risks criminalizing common journalistic practices and thus chilling the work of the free press. We urge you to ensure that this case be brought to a close in as timely a manner as possible."

Joining Dr. Paul in sending the letter are Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA-02), Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY-04), Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI-12), Rep. Eric Burlison (R-MO-07), Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN-05), Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ-09), Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA-07), Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA-07), Rep. Matt Rosendale (R-MT-02), Rep. Greg Casar (D-TX-35), Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO-01), Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY-16), Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García (D-IL-04), Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA-14), and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY-14).

This bipartisan effort seeks to address concerns about the potential chilling effect on journalistic practices and the freedom of the press that could result from the prosecution of Julian Assange. The letter emphasizes the duty of journalists to gather information and report on government activities, and argues against prosecuting Assange for engaging in common journalistic practices.

The full letter can be read HERE.

This move by Senator Rand Paul and the bipartisan group of Members of Congress highlights the ongoing debate surrounding the prosecution of Julian Assange and its implications for press freedom. It calls on President Biden to bring the case to a close and protect the rights of journalists to pursue and report on important stories.

Click this link to access more information: https://www.paul.senate.gov/dr-rand-paul-joins-bipartisan-letter-urging-the-u-s-to-end-prosecution-of-julian-assange/