President Obama,
Let's set aside the debate about how Edward Snowden went about expressing his dissent with the global surveillance apparatus. Had he not acted, the next administration would most likely have secret, unfettered access to everyone's data to use as they please. Not every president will have your intelligence and restraint; Mr. Snowden has done us a favor.
It should be obvious that he will be a negotiating tool in the Trump-Putin relationship come January 20, 2017. He will be used as leverage by Putin and held up as a tremendous prize brought home for trial by a President Trump. Please consider using your power of the pardon before then to give Mr. Snowden his life back, take him out from under Putin's thumb, and allow him the freedom to live in a nation of his choosing.