Boehner on Snowden: "He's a traitor"

The leaks were "a giant violation of the law," the House Speaker added

Published June 11, 2013 1:19PM (EDT)

House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, joined those calling Edward Snowden a traitor for leaking classified information about the NSA's surveillance programs to the press. “He’s a traitor,” Boehner told ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos. “The disclosure of this information puts Americans at risk.  It shows our adversaries what our capabilities are.  And it’s a giant violation of the law.”

“The president outlined last week that these were important national security programs to help keep Americans safe, and give us tools to fight the terrorist threat that we face,” Boehner continued. “The president also outlined that there are appropriate safeguards in place to make sure that there’s no snooping, if you will, on Americans here at home.”


By Jillian Rayfield

Jillian Rayfield is an Assistant News Editor for Salon, focusing on politics. Follow her on Twitter at @jillrayfield or email her at jrayfield@salon.com.

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Edward Snowden John Boehner Nsa Prism Republicans