On Sunday’s “Meet the Press,” Vice President Joe Biden addressed the difficulties the leaked classified information revealed by WikiLeaks have created. Host David Gregory asked the vice president what actions the White House was looking to take against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.
“We’re looking into that right now,” Biden said. “The Justice Department is taking a look at that, and I’m not going to comment on, on that process.”
As to whether or not he committed a crime, Biden said there would have to be a determination of how he obtained the classified material.
“If he conspired to get these classified documents with a member of the U.S. military, that’s fundamentally different than if somebody drops on your lap, ‘Here, David, you’re a press person, here is classified material,’” Biden said.
Although some on the left, like Michael Moore have praised Assange, Biden said he viewed him less favorably and explained his own dealings that are a result of the fallout from WikiLeaks.
“I would argue that it’s closer to being a high-tech terrorist than, than the Pentagon Papers,” Biden said. “ But look, this guy has, has done things that have damaged and, and put into jeopardy the lives and, and occupations of people in other parts of the world. He’s made it more difficult for us to conduct our, our business with our allies and our friends. For example, in my meetings, you know I meet with most of these world leaders, there is a desire now to meet with me alone rather than have staff in the room. It makes things more cumbersome. And so it is, it has done damage.”
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