John McCain, Lindsey Graham on Manning Decision: 'A Slap in the Face'

Republican Sens. John McCain and Lindsey Graham derided Tuesday's commuting of Chelsea Manning's 35-year prison term for leaking classified documents to WikiLeaks, allowing her to go free in May, as "a slap in the face" and a move that would encourage future leakers.


McCain, of Arizona, chairs the Senate Armed Services Committee. Graham, who represents South Carolina, is a member of the panel.

They took to Twitter:

.@POTUS's commutation of #ChelseaManning’s sentence is a grave mistake that will encourage further acts of espionage https://t.co/nB5SeHCrKM

— John McCain (@SenJohnMcCain) January 17, 2017

Former Army PFC #Manning stabbed fellow service members in the back by releasing classified information which put them at risk. (1)

— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) January 17, 2017

Commuting #Manning's sentence is a slap in the face by our Commander-in-Chief to those who served honorably.

— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) January 17, 2017

Yet another poor national security decision by President Obama. (3)

— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) January 17, 2017

pic.twitter.com/rHZwxYaHsj

— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) January 17, 2017

• Sen. Tom Cotton Slams Obama on 'Traitor' Chelsea Manning
• Assange Will Approve His Extradition to US If Chelsea Manning Is Released