In response to a report that claimed Edward Snowden could be given a plea bargain to return to the United States, Jeb Bush said he's very much opposed to the idea.
Snowden, a former NSA contractor, stole up to 1.7 million classified government documents before fleeing the country in 2013. He's been living under asylum in Russia ever since.
Former Attorney General Eric Holder said Monday Snowden's actions, which exposed many of America's spying programs, "spurred a necessary debate."
"We are in a different place as a result of the Snowden disclosures," Holder said.
In response, Bush — a former governor of Florida now running for president as a Republican — fired back on Twitter Monday.
Bush Tweeted another reference to the story Tuesday morning.
When Holder was asked whether he thinks Snowden could receive a plea bargain to return to the U.S., he said that's a possibility.
"I certainly think there could be a basis for a resolution that everybody could ultimately be satisfied with," Holder said. "I think the possibility exists."
As attorney general, Holder charged Snowden with three felony counts of violating the Espionage Act, and said at the time that while he would be willing to talk to Snowden if he returned to the United States, no promise of clemency was on the table.
Snowden has stayed in the news since entering Russia, via
other leaked documents tied to him and also a handful of
interviews he's given.
"I do miss my country, I do miss my home, I do miss my family," Snowden said in April.
Bush announced his candidacy for president on June 15, and is now one of 14 candidates vying for Republican nomination next year. The field is expected to grow, with
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker reportedly targeting July 13 to enter the race.
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