Rohrabacher tells Yahoo he discussed pardon with Assange for proof Russia didn’t hack DNC email | TheHill – The Hill

Former California Rep. Dana RohrabacherDana Tyrone RohrabacherLawyers to seek asylum for Assange in France: report Rohrabacher tells Yahoo he discussed pardon with Assange for proof Russia didn't hack DNC email The Hill's Morning Report - Democrats duke it out during Nevada debate MORE (R) said Thursday that he discussed a possible presidential pardon with WikiLeaks founder Julian AssangeJulian Paul AssangeProtesters in UK call on government to refuse Assange extradition to US Prosecutor defends initial DOJ recommendation at Stone sentencing Lawyers to seek asylum for Assange in France: report MORE in exchange for proof that Russia didnt hack into the Democratic National Committees (DNC) email, Yahoo News reported.

Rohrabacher told Yahoo News that he held a three-hour meeting at the Ecuadorian Embassy in August 2017 when he informed Assange of the potential deal. The former congressman said he aimed to gather proof for a widely debunked theory that former DNC staffer Seth Rich, who was killed in Washington in 2016, leaked the information, rather than Russian intelligence agents hacking the system.

The theory would negate U.S. intelligence agencies and former special counsel Robert MuellerRobert (Bob) Swan MuellerCNN's Toobin warns McCabe is in 'perilous condition' with emboldened Trump CNN anchor rips Trump over Stone while evoking Clinton-Lynch tarmac meeting The Hill's 12:30 Report: New Hampshire fallout MOREs prosecutors conclusions that Russian operatives hacked the DNC email.

I spoke to Julian Assange and told him if he would provide evidence about who gave WikiLeaks the emails, I would petition the president to give him a pardon, Rohrabacher told Yahoo News. He knew I could get to the president.

He said in the interview that he wanted truthful information from Assange and was not pressuring him to lie.

The former congressman said he called then-White House chief of staff John KellyJohn Francis KellyMORE after the meeting, saying Kelly was courteous but made no commitment to bring it up with President TrumpDonald John TrumpSchiff blasts Trump for making 'false claims' about Russia intel: 'You've betrayed America. Again.' Poll: Sanders leads 2020 Democratic field with 28 percent, followed by Warren and Biden More than 6 in 10 expect Trump to be reelected: poll MORE. He didnt speak to Kelly again on the matter and never had a direct discussion with the president.

Assanges lawyer Edward Fitzgerald told a London court in his clients extradition case against the U.S. that Trump had offered to pardon Assangeif he released information that said Russia had nothing to do with the DNC leaks.

White House press secretary Stephanie GrishamStephanie GrishamSupreme Court allows 'public charge' rule to take effect nationwide Pelosi blasts Trump's 'dangerous' pick for intelligence chief Lawyers to seek asylum for Assange in France: report MORE on Wednesday called Fitzgeralds claim complete fabrication.

The President barely knows Dana Rohrabacher other than hes an ex-congressman, she said in a statement. Hes never spoken to him on this subject or almost any subject. It is a complete fabrication and a total lie. This is probably another never ending hoax and total lie from the DNC.

Rohrabacher, who was defeated in the 2018 election, was known for defending Russian President Vladimir PutinVladimir Vladimirovich PutinTrump's Intel moves spark Democratic fury Trump accuses Schiff of leaking information that Russia was helping Sanders Sanders is a risk, not a winner MORE and Trumpduringthe Russia investigations. He is now a consultant to the cannabis industry.

The DNC and the White House did not immediately return requests for comment.

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Rohrabacher tells Yahoo he discussed pardon with Assange for proof Russia didn't hack DNC email | TheHill - The Hill