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My gut says that this is just more election-season talk, trying to regain some support on the left by making vague statements about giving up on prosecuting Assange. WikiLeaks is already basically dead now and all "reputable" media outlets are toeing the line on US wars, so the intimidation to would-be exposers of war crimes isn't really needed anymore. I really hope these statements aren't just empty rhetoric, but I'm not very optimistic.

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It's hopefully an opportunity to embarrass him if he backs out.

Personally, I see it as a larger problem for the US that the Democrats are no longer anywhere near left enough or dialog oriented enough to maintain the facade of a superpower with European values and special relationships, and I don't think a fake moment of reflection will change that.

Europe would be moving toward seeing itself as bullied by 3 superpowers with less distinction either way but at an accelerated pace if it doesn't even see the Democrats as a relatable government in exile when the US is particularly unhinged.

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