"I could understand what he did, if… what he exposed was limited to domestic surveillance…. But he exposed so much else that had absolutely nothing to do with domestic surveillance, where he has damaged our capability against foreign threats. He has taken away capabilities that were used to protect our troops in Afghanistan," Clapper told the Associated Press. "I don't think I could concur in offering him a pardon."
The release of the documents sparked a nationwide conversation about people’s right to privacy.
Human rights groups are urging President Obama to pardon Snowden, who is currently under asylum in Russia.
When asked if Clapper would change his mind if Snowden offered up information, perhaps from Russian sources, the intelligence official replied, “No.”
"The more time that goes on, there is actually, in my mind, less and less incentive for any kind of negotiated" plea agreement, Clapper said. "At least as far as the intelligence community is concerned, we're not in that camp."
