I want to share another thought.

The US govt. had months of lead time.
They knew the documents were to be released.
They had ample time to know the whereabouts of Assange.

If the govt. believed they had a case that would stand, he would/could/should have been arrested on day one of the release.

Its a personal view, I got no links.

It is their inability to have a case that makes them phone around the corps, and point out that they should read there own terms of service.

Again no links…