Sacrificing one’s entire life to live in exile to expose is criminal government is plenty honorable.
Frankly as a non American I don’t know why you’re weighing in so strongly on this.
I think revealing the wrongdoings of the US government was honourable, but fleeing to Russia was a bigger dishonour. You don't have to agree, it's a matter of opinion, really.
He fled to Ecuador, he was exiled to Russia.
You're free to take his place. Why don't you volunteer? It would be the honorable thing to do.