You were lied to - Assange is in the target of a large, highly profitable military-industrial-complex. Actual justice is not on the table; anyone paying attention has known this for years.
US believes he committed a serious crime and as such it's expected they would seek extradition just like with every other person who does so.
Everything besides the war crimes he uncovered? Yeah, sure.
He dropped the pants of high government officials and this is simply a case of revenge. Let's call it what it is.
Woah there, went full tinfoil hat on us for a moment.
Agree, their intentions are probably to set an example and will act aggressively on Assange as much as possible, but they are still bound by their laws.. And in turn; 'justice'.