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Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden has been persistent in his call for the Obama administration to justify the scope of its domestic intelligence-gathering effort.

(AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

Edward Snowden’s father praised Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden for his “courage” in

on NBC’s Today show Friday morning.

Wyden sits on the Senate intelligence committee and has been an outspoken critic of United States policies regarding intelligence gathering following 9/11.

When

newspaper in London in June, he spurred fervor worldwide, some calling him a traitor to the United States, others calling him a hero. He remains in a Moscow airport, isolated from his family and avoiding U.S. authorities.

While Snowden's father hasn't had much contact with him, Lon Snowden told NBC's Matt Lauer he trusts his son did the right thing.

“The American people don’t know the full truth, but the truth is coming,” the elder Snowden said. He criticized members of congress uncritical of the national security state, but offered strong praise for Wyden,

.

“I need to give credit where credit is due,” Snowden said. “Folks like Sen. Ron Wyden, I have tremendous respect for his courage.”

--Christian Gaston