"Daniel Hale, who blew the whistle on the United States government's targeted assassination program that includes drones, pled guilty to transmitting and retaining "national defense information" in violation of the Espionage Act.

The guilty plea by Hale makes him the first whistleblower to be convicted under the Espionage Act during President Joe Biden's administration.

A change of plea hearing was held on March 31 in the Eastern District of Virginia, around a week before Hale was scheduled to go to trial.

Judge Liam O'Grady permitted Hale to remain under supervision by a probation officer until sentencing on July 13.

Though Hale pled guilty, prosecutors from the Justice Department opposed canceling the trial altogether and refused to dismiss the four remaining charges. Hale's attorney questioned why this would be allowed.

O'Grady seemed to recognize the four remaining charges criminalize much of the conduct already covered in Hale's plea. Often this is referred to as charge stacking. Yet the judge permitted the government’s extraordinary and unusual request, leaving open the possibility of a trial if prosecutors are unhappy with sentencing.

Under President Barack Obama, CIA whistleblower John Kiriakou was targeted in the Eastern District of Virginia with an Espionage Act prosecution. He wound up pleading guilty to violating the Intelligence Identities Protection Act in order to ensure he only went to prison for 30 months.

"I'm disappointed that Daniel Hale's case was continued in the Biden Justice Department," Kiriakou shared after learning Hale changed his plea. "I had hopes that Biden's Justice Department appointee would recognize the public service that Daniel Hale provided when he revealed illegality and abuse in the drone program."

Since Hale is not permitted to offer a public interest defense, Kiriakou added,"That's an injustice.""