What now for Chelsea Manning, the WikiLeaks secret-dumping transgender soldier freed by Barack Obama after she served seven of a 35-year military prison sentence? Well, one of the first things when let out of Leavenworth on Wednesday at 2 a.m. was to go on social media.
Though she might have been locked up while social media was evolving, she hasn't lost a step and she posted a picture of her sneakers with the caption “First steps of freedom!”
That and the fact she's issuing press releases — including a pre-release release — makes you wonder if she plans to take the trans celebrity path of Caitlyn Jenner.
But don't expect an embrace. There's apparently no love lost between them.
Manning criticized Jenner back in December 2015, claiming she was “the grinch who stole (& sold out) the trans movement,” according to Mic.
“I’m figuring things out right now — which is exciting, awkward, fun, and all new for me,” Manning said in an email seen by The Associated Press.
Where Manning is immediately headed hasn’t been revealed but she said back in January she planned to move back to Maryland after her release.
“After another anxious four months of waiting, the day has finally arrived,” Manning said in a statement hours after her release, according to ABC News. “I am looking forward to so much! Whatever is ahead of me, is far more important than the past. I’m figuring things out right now – which is exciting, awkward, fun, and all new for me.”
Manning's lawyers asked for privacy.
“We are able to confirm that Chelsea Manning has been released safely from military prison,” said Nancy Hollander and Vincent Ward. “Thank you to everyone for ensuring her safe release and respecting her privacy as she starts to adjust to life outside of prison and rebuild her life following seven years of confinement. Chelsea has expressed her deep appreciation to her supporters and looks forward to the future.”
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