The White House says that its position on Edward Snowden has not changed after the NSA leaker told NBC News in an exclusive interview that he wants to return to the United States.
“There is a fundamental position that we hold, which is he ought to return to the United States to face the charges against him,” said spokesman Jay Carney. “We are of the firm belief that the transgressions that he has been charged with are very serious, they have created negative consequences for our national security and our capacity to protect the United States, the American people and our allies.”
Carney said that clemency for Snowden is “not on the table” but referred questions on any kind of plea deal to the Department of Justice.
Also on Thursday, the National Security Agency released an email sent from Snowden to the office of General Counsel later today.
Snowden has said that he raised concerns to the NSA about intelligence gathering practices but failed to get any response.
