What Will Chelsea Manning Do After Former Whistle-Blower Is Released Today?

Update: 7:35 a.m. EDT — Chelsea Manning was released from Fort Leavenworth military prison in Kansas, BBC reported.

Original Story:

Transgender army private Chelsea Manning is set to be released from prison today, after serving 7 years of her 35-year sentence, which was cut short, courtesy of former President Barack Obama granting her clemency during the final days of his presidential term.

Even though the date and place from where she is being released from has been made public, information like the time and manner of her release have been kept classified due to security reasons, Fox News reported.

"To ensure the privacy and security of Inmate Manning, no further information concerning the release will be provided," Army spokesman Dave Foster said in a statement. To ensure complete privacy, no press conference or media appearances have been planned around the highly anticipated event.

Read: Chelsea Manning To Resume Active Duty In Army, Fight For Transgender Causes After Release

Immediately after being granted clemency, Manning had tweeted to let her supporters know she plans to move to Maryland for some unknown reason. It has been revealed that she has an aunt living there. Also, since Manning entered the prison as Bradley Manning, a man, this will be the first time she, will be able to live her life in the free world as a woman, post-transition.

"For the first time, I can see a future for myself as Chelsea. I can imagine surviving and living as the person who I am and can finally be in the outside world. Freedom used to be something that I dreamed of but never allowed myself to fully imagine...I am forever grateful to the people who kept me alive, [former] President Obama, my legal team and countless supporters,” said Manning in a statement.

Read: When Will Chelsea Manning Be Free? WikiLeaks Informant Confirms Prison Release Next Week

Chelsea was convicted in 2013, following 20 counts, including six Espionage Act violations, theft and cyber fraud. She infamously released 700,000 government files to WikiLeaks that contained classified information about the United States military and diplomatic activities.

Manning pleaded guilty to 10 of the 22 charges, on Feb. 28, 2013. She claimed her agenda was "to show the true cost of war,” not realizing she would end up hurting the sentiments of the American people.

Manning’s life and name was embroiled in controversy even while she was in prison. After President Donald Trump called her a “traitor,” many celebrities and activists rose up in support of Manning, protesting against the unjustly long sentence she had originally been given for revealing the horrors of war and deaths of innocent victims during the U.S. bombings in Iraq and Afghanistan, Aljazeera reported.

On Tuesday, the Army released a statement saying Manning will be able to rejoin active duty in a special capacity. She will not be entitled to a regular salary, although she will still be liable to receive military medical care and commissary privileges. Manning also wishes to take up book advocacy works, if she gets the required exclusive permission from the army, the Telegraph reported.

Nancy Hollander, one of Manning’s lawyers, also mentioned Manning will be completing her transition as a woman. Even though she was allowed to take hormonal medication while incarcerated, Manning’s lawyers had revealed earlier she wasn’t allowed to keep a feminine haircut inside prison.

Manning also told the Guardian she plans to fully enjoy her freedom: “I want that indescribable feeling of connection with people and nature again, without razor wire or a visitation booth. I want to be able to hug my family and friends again. And swimming – I want to go swimming!”