NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden says accusations he's spying for Russia are false.
In an interview with The New Yorker, Snowden told the magazine the idea he was given any help leaking the classified NSA documents was absurd.
"It won't stick ... because it's clearly false, and the American people are smarter than politicians think they are."
His comments were in response to this:
MIKE ROGERS: "I believe there's a reason he ended up in the hands — the loving arms — of an FSB agent in Moscow. I don't think that's a coincidence." (Via NBC)
That, from Congressman Mike Rogers, who said Russia could be behind the Snowden leak. Rogers didn’t provide any specific evidence to back up that claim, though. (Via The Guardian)
Rogers is not alone in making such allegations. Also on the Sunday shows this weekend, Senate Intelligence Committee Chairwoman Dianne Feinstein and her counterpart in the House, Mike McCaul, did not rule out the possibility Snowden might have had outside help.
FEINSTEIN: "He may well have. ... We don't know at this stage." (Via NBC)
MCCAUL: "I dont think Mr. Snowden woke up one day and had the wherewithal to do this all by himself." (Via ABC)
Snowden has previously denied he's working for a foreign power. Back in October, the whistleblower told The New York Times he didn't take any of the NSA files with him when he fled to Russia last June.
Snowden is currently in Russia, where he's been granted a year-long temporary asylum. His attorney is currently seeking extra protection for his client — citing a recent report in BuzzFeed that quoted an unnamed Pentagon official saying he wanted Snowden dead. (Via WikiLeaks)
An unnamed FBI official recently told The New York Times the agency's investigation into Snowden found no evidence he had assistance either within the NSA or from another country.
