A majority of Americans, including identical majorities of self-identified Democrats and Republicans, say the federal government should pursue a criminal case against the man who leaked classified information about NSA surveillance, according to a new Pew Research poll.
Edward Snowden, a former Booz Allen Hamilton employee, leaked confidential documents pertaining to national security surveillance programs to the Guardian, a British newspaper, as well as a Chinese newspaper earlier this month.
A majority (54 percent) of the public supports his criminal prosecution, according to the new Pew survey; 59 percent of both Republicans and Democrats support a criminal case.
Americans are more split as to whether the leaks harm public interest; 49 percent say the leaks serve public interest, while 44 percent say the leaks harm it.