Misleading Video Regarding Mike Pompeo and Julian Assange

Recently, Julian Assange was released from custody following a court decision, triggering widespread discussion and misinformation across social media platforms. The circumstances surrounding his release have generated significant public interest and varying interpretations online, contributing to a complex narrative about the case and its implications.

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A video circulating on social media suggests that Mike Pompeo has recently been served with a lawsuit related to allegations of spying on Julian Assange and his visitors.

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We decided to do a fact check on this.

Explanation

Details:

Context: The video in question implies that recent events, such as Julian Assange’s release and return to Australia, are somehow connected to a new development in the lawsuit against Mike Pompeo. However, the lawsuit itself is not recent; it was filed in August 2022 in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York.

Video’s Implication: By showing Pompeo being served with legal papers and stating that “you’ve been served,” the video gives the impression that this event is current. This misrepresentation can lead viewers to believe that there is a recent legal action against Pompeo, coinciding with Assange’s release or other recent events.

Actual Timing: The lawsuit accusing Pompeo of overseeing the spying on Assange and his visitors dates back to actions allegedly occurring during Pompeo’s tenure as CIA director, which ended in April 2018, and possibly extending into his subsequent role as Secretary of State. The lawsuit does not reflect recent developments and should not be interpreted as a new legal action against Pompeo. The actual background of the viral video can be read here.

Background Context on Julian Assange:

Julian Assange recently returned to Australia after a court appearance in Saipan, where he pleaded guilty to a charge of espionage. This plea deal allowed him to avoid further extradition and resulted in his release from custody.

Summary:

Misleading Representation: The video suggesting Pompeo’s recent legal trouble regarding Assange is misleading. It portrays an event from 2022 as current, potentially confusing viewers about the timing and context of the legal proceedings.

Legal Allegations: The lawsuit against Pompeo concerns allegations of overseeing surveillance on Assange and his visitors during Pompeo’s tenure in the CIA and possibly during his time as Secretary of State.

Recent Developments: Assange’s recent release and return to Australia are separate from the 2022 lawsuit against Pompeo and should not be conflated with it.

This clarification helps to distinguish between the actual timing of legal events involving Pompeo and the misleading implications of the circulated video.

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