You mean the site co-founded by Assange who signed a SF312?

Correct on that last part.

Why should foreign nations care about US laws? Any extradition by any nation is a courtesy at best.

However it is ludicrous to say US should drop charges.

Those newspapers did not sign a legally binding SF312 CLASSIFIED INFORMATION NONDISCLOSURE AGREEMENT of which every single person who holds a clearance must sign.

The very first sentence is:

Intending to be legally bound, I hereby accept the obligations contained in this Agreement in consideration of my being granted access to classified information.

Other parts being

I hereby agree that I will never divulge classified information to anyone unless: (a) I have officially verified that the recipient has been properly authorized by the United States Government to receive it; or (b) I have been given prior written notice of authorization from the United States Government Department or Agency (hereinafter Department or Agency) responsible for the classification of information or last granting me a security clearance that such disclosure is permitted. I understand that if I am uncertain about the classification status of information, I am required to confirm from an authorized official that the information is unclassified before I may disclose it, except to a person as provided in (a) or (b), above. I further understand that I am obligated to comply with laws and regulations that prohibit the unauthorized disclosure of classified information

In addition, I have been advised that any unauthorized disclosure of classified information by me may constitute a violation, or violations, of United States criminal laws, including the provisions of sections 641, 793, 794, 798, *952 and 1924, title 18, United States Code; *the provisions of section 783(b}, title 50, United States Code; and the provisions of the Intelligence Identities Protection Act of 1982. I recognize that nothing in this Agreement constitutes a waiver by the United States of the right to prosecute me for any statutory violation.

Unless and until I am released in writing by an authorized representative of the United States Government, I understand that all conditions and obligations imposed upon me by this Agreement apply during the time I am granted access to classified information, and at all times thereafter.

This contract is binding FOR LIFE unless waived by an official.

https://www.gsa.gov/reference/forms/classified-information-nondisclosure-agreement-1

Title is a pretty dumb take.

Publishing is not a crime, which is correct.

I cannot be charged with a crime for making posts on Reddit, Lemmy or wiki pages. (I absolutely can be charged by publishing to wiki leaks though under agreements)

Publishing classified information is treason under Title 18 of the U.S. Code, Section 798

This is just stupidly obvious.

The only good thing he did was bring to focus the problem with over classification of information. We now have Controlled Unclassified Information thanks to that.