Trump Pardons Kristian Saucier, Former Sailor Jailed For Submarine Pictures

[edpc]

President Trump issued the second pardon of his presidency Friday to former Navy sailor Kristian Saucier.

Saucier was sentenced to a year in prison during the 2016 campaign for taking pictures inside a nuclear submarine. Trump invoked his case repeatedly on the campaign trail, saying he was “ruined” for doing “nothing” compared to Hillary Clinton. Saucier was 22 years old when he took the cellphone photos in 2009.

http://m.washingtonexaminer.com/trump-pardons-kristian-saucier-former-sailor-jailed-for-submarine-pictures/article/2651195

[edpc]

Way overdue. He should’ve been pardoned long before Arpaio.

[driftdiver]

Excellent!

What this guy did was wrong but he didnt deserve to have his life ruined.

[mystery-ak]

Good to hear..

[ABX]

Good

[edpc]

Sarah had mentioned this at the start of the briefing, but I couldn't find a source to post it.

[Bigun]

EXCELLENT news!  Good job Mr. President!

[Right_in_Virginia]

Excellent!

What this guy did was wrong but he didnt deserve to have his life ruined.

 

[txradioguy]

Excellent news.

[Frank Cannon]

Just more tangible proof......Trump is God!

[edpc]

"In looking back into our investigations into the mishandling or removal of classified information, we cannot find a case that would support bringing criminal charges on these facts," Comey said. "All the cases prosecuted involved some combination of: clearly intentional and willful mishandling of classified information; or vast quantities of information exposed in such a way as to support an inference of intentional misconduct; or indications of disloyalty to the United States; or efforts to obstruct justice. We do not see those things here."


Sounds a lot like the circumstances of this case.

[txradioguy]

Now he needs to work on getting his discharge upgraded.

[Sanguine]

Jailed sailor reacts to being cited by Trump on Twitter

Former Navy Machinist Kristian Saucier speaks out on being mentioned by the president as an example of a Clinton double standard.

Kristian Saucier, the former U.S. Navy sailor who served a year behind bars for taking photos of classified areas in a nuclear submarine, has been pardoned, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said Friday.

Saucier recently received a letter from the Department of Justice saying it was taking a new look at his request for a pardon. Although he was released from jail last year, he remained under house arrest.

Trump had denounced the government’s handling of Saucier’s case, calling it a political move and saying it contrasted with the velvet-gloved response to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s mismanagement of classified information through a private server....

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/03/09/trump-pardons-former-navy-sailor-imprisoned-for-taking-photos-on-nuclear-submarine-white-house-says.html

[edpc]

Now he needs to work on getting his discharge upgraded.

Would it be general or honorable?

[txradioguy]

Would it be general or honorable?

Given his rank at the time (E-6) and what was said today by Ms Sanders as well as what I can only assume are good fitness reports prior to this incident. I'd go for honorable and full reinstatement of pay and benefits.

[Sanguine]

Given his rank at the time (E-6) and what was said today by Ms Sanders as well as what I can only assume are good fitness reports prior to this incident. I'd go for honorable and full reinstatement of pay and benefits.

He did break the law and do something stupid and potentially harmful.

[edpc]

He did break the law and do something stupid and potentially harmful.

He made a mistake with the photos.  He probably should have known better, but there was no determination of intent to distribute them.  They were also not that damaging in relation to espionage value, as determined by the Navy.

Court filings say the photos were clear enough that they reveal classified details about the submarine that could be of use to foreign governments, such as the vessel’s maximum speed.

However, the Navy says the photos are classified “confidential,” which is the lowest tier of protection for classified information and is designated for information that could cause some damage to national security but not “serious” or “exceptionally grave” damage.

https://www.politico.com/story/2016/05/kristian-saucier-investigation-hillary-clinton-223646


The worst thing he did was destroy the computer, phone, and memory card once he learned about the investigation.  Another dumb mistake that earned him an unnecessary obstruction charge.  This absolutely pales in comparison to the classified information in Hillary's server and her very obvious attempt to hide it. It's pretty much the definition of intent.

[austingirl]

So glad to hear this!

[Frank Cannon]

So glad to hear this!

You will also be glad to hear that Trump saved a bundle of money by switching the WH limo to Gieco.

[RoosGirl]

He did break the law and do something stupid and potentially harmful.

Yeah, I'm not sure what is good about this.  Was the punishment extraordinary for the crime?

[edpc]

Yeah, I'm not sure what is good about this.  Was the punishment extraordinary for the crime?

There’s obviously a political component, related to the contrast of the way Hillary’s case was handled. However, in the end, I believe it’s about the discharge conditions and letting him get on with his life.  As far as national security and classified breaches go, Saucier deserves the pardon a lot more than Manning deserved a commuted sentence.  Just my 2¢.

[Sanguine]

He made a mistake with the photos.  He probably should have known better, but there was no determination of intent to distribute them.  They were also not that damaging in relation to espionage value, as determined by the Navy.

Court filings say the photos were clear enough that they reveal classified details about the submarine that could be of use to foreign governments, such as the vessel’s maximum speed.

However, the Navy says the photos are classified “confidential,” which is the lowest tier of protection for classified information and is designated for information that could cause some damage to national security but not “serious” or “exceptionally grave” damage.

https://www.politico.com/story/2016/05/kristian-saucier-investigation-hillary-clinton-223646


The worst thing he did was destroy the computer, phone, and memory card once he learned about the investigation.  Another dumb mistake that earned him an unnecessary obstruction charge.  This absolutely pales in comparison to the classified information in Hillary's server and her very obvious attempt to hide it. It's pretty much the definition of intent.

I understand all of that, but disagree that the worst he did was try to cover up.  He did something stupid and criminal.  As we know, intent does not matter here.

Some punishment was appropriate and the fact that Hillary is getting away with much worse does not change that.

All that being said, I'm glad he was pardoned and will be released with time served.

[Applewood]

Just more tangible proof......Trump is God!

Well, HE thinks he is.

[edpc]

I understand all of that, but disagree that the worst he did was try to cover up.  He did something stupid and criminal.  As we know, intent does not matter here.

Some punishment was appropriate and the fact that Hillary is getting away with much worse does not change that.

All that being said, I'm glad he was pardoned and will be released with time served. 

Saucier was sentenced during the 2016 campaign and served the full term.  He was released last September.

[Sanguine]

He was sentenced during the 2016 campaign and served the full term.

So, you agree with me.