Chelsea Manning releases 1st statement since clemency win

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Bluesky
• Share on X
• Copy Link

The Army and Manning’s attorneys say Manning is scheduled to leave prison on May 17, but both declined to provide details.

Pitch ideas

Central Alberta entrepreneurs take part in Catalyst Incubator program

21h ago

numerous incidents

QEII Highway very icy Monday morning

Apr 06, 2026

"unprecedented levels of discrimination"

Ponoka Pride Society dissolves, citing limited resources

Apr 06, 2026

Chase Strangio, an American Civil Liberties attorney who has worked closely with Manning, said during a FacebookLive chat Tuesday that Manning will have financial and health care resources when she leaves prison. He offered no details and didn’t return a message from The Associated Press.

Manning, a native of Crescent, Oklahoma, was convicted in a military court martial of 20 counts, including six Espionage Act violations, theft and computer fraud. Manning was acquitted of the most serious charge of aiding the enemy.

Manning acknowledged leaking the materials, saying she wanted to expose the U.S. military’s disregard about the effects of war on civilians. She also said she released information that she didn’t believe would harm the U.S.

But critics said the leaks endangered information sources, prompting the State Department to help some of those people move to protect their safety. Several ambassadors were recalled, expelled or reassigned because of embarrassing disclosures.

Manning was arrested in 2010, and came out as transgender after being sentenced. She filed a transgender rights lawsuit and attempted suicide twice last year, according to her lawyers.

Her attorneys said Manning was subjected to violence in prison and argued the military mistreated her by requiring her to serve her sentence in an all-male prison, restricting her physical and mental health care, and not allowing her to wear a feminine-style haircut.

The Department of Defence has repeatedly declined to comment on Manning’s treatment in prison.

Nancy Hollander, one of Manning’s clemency and appellate lawyers, said Manning was a whistleblower and deemed the original 35-year sentence “outrageous” for such a case.

“I am excited to continue to know her and work with her while she is a free woman,” Hollander said Tuesday.

Margaret Stafford, The Associated Press