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FEATURING KEVIN GOSZTOLA – President Obama on Tuesday announced a list of 273 incarcerated people to whom he gave clemency. Among them was the famous whistleblower Chelsea Manning who is serving a 35-year sentence for leaking military documents to Wikileaks.

Manning, who has been the victim of torture while in custody, had fought hard for her right to a gender reassignment surgery, and had reportedly attempted suicide over the last several months. A broad movement to free her had galvanized public sympathy, culminating in a social media campaign this past week called #HugsForChelsea.

While activists are celebrating a hard-won victory, not everyone is happy. House Speaker Paul Ryan denounced Obama’s decision as “outrageous,” and a “dangerous precedent.” On Wednesday Obama defended his move in a press conference saying Manning’s time served was on par with others convicted of the same crimes.

Follow Kevin Gosztola’s work at www.shadowproof.com.

Kevin Gosztola, managing editor of Shadowproof.com. He also produces and co-hosts the weekly podcast, Unauthorized Disclosure.