Libertarian-leaning Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) on Sunday warned National Security Agency (NSA) leaker Edward Snowden that he would be judged harshly by history if he became friendly with "enemies" of the United States.
Media reports on Sunday said that Snowden had fled Hong Kong with the ultimate intention of reaching Venezuela, but would first stop in Russia and Cuba.
"I think it's still going to be an open question how this young man's judged," Paul told CNN's Candy Crowley. "I do think when history looks at this, they're going to contrast the behavior of James Clapper, our national intelligence director, with Edward Snowden. Mr. Clapper lied in Congress in defiance of the law in the name of security. Mr. Snowden told the truth in the name of privacy."
"So I think there will be a judgement because both of them broke the law, and history will have to determine," he continued. "I do think for Mr. Snowden, if he cozies up to the Russian government it will be nothing but bad for his name in history. If he goes to an independent third country like Iceland and he refuses to talk to any sort of formal government about this, I think there's a chance he will be seen as an advocate of privacy."
"If he cozies up to either the Russian government, the Chinese government or any of these governments that are perceived still as enemies or ours, I think that will be a real problem for him in history."
