I think the difference is they did not take an oath to obey the law and the court.
Snowden swore an oath to the Constitution, and by doing what he did, upheld that oath. Congress, the courts, and a great many people agree.
Manning, I would expect, thought she was doing the same.
I don't know what kind of oath the US military requires from their personnel, but by sneaking information from a base I'm almost sure she broke it.
Their situations are very different.
I think the difference is they did not take an oath to obey the law and the court.
Snowden swore an oath to the Constitution, and by doing what he did, upheld that oath. Congress, the courts, and a great many people agree.
Manning, I would expect, thought she was doing the same.
I don't know what kind of oath the US military requires from their personnel, but by sneaking information from a base I'm almost sure she broke it.
Their situations are very different.