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Julian Assange might be charged in the U.S.

Posted at 9:02 AM, Apr 21, 2017
and last updated 2017-04-21 09:02:36-04

Despite his yearslong exile in an Ecuadorian embassy, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange hasn't been charged with a crime.

That could be about to change. Multiple outlets report the U.S. Department of Justice is considering pressing charges against Assange.

The Obama administration decided not to file any charges against Assange for publishing a massive cache of classified documents, arguing they'd also have to charge news outlets and journalists.

But WikiLeaks' publication of confidential hacking tools used by the CIA may have changed the government's calculus. Potential charges could include conspiracy, theft of government property or violations of the Espionage Act.

Trump often touted WikiLeaks' disclosures on the campaign trail. But CIA Director Mike Pompeo, who was appointed by Trump, recently denounced Assange as "a narcissist who has created nothing of value."