New Charges Brought Against Bowe Bergdahl, Worse Than Desertion

Last summer President Obama traded five high-level terrorist leaders for one US soldier; Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl. But soldiers who knew Bergdahl were not happy; they believed he had deserted. In the following missions to find and rescue Bergdahl, many US soldiers were killed or wounded.

But surely, if the president arranged such a high-profile trade for five dangerous terrorists, such stories of desertion couldn’t be true. After all, why would we give up 5 terrorists for 1 deserter?

However, in March Bergdahl was indeed charged with desertion. Now it has now been announced that the sergeant will also be charged with the crime of “misbehavior before the enemy.” This is a more serious charge than desertion and carries with it the possibility of a life sentence.

An Army statement on the matter says that Bergdahl was charged with “misbehavior before the enemy by endangering the safety of a command, unit or place” and prompting the military to launch search operations.”

Sources claim Bergdahl aided the Taliban, helping them to locate US soldiers and training them in American military techniques.

Despite the severity of the charges, some legal analysts suggest Bergdahl will be able to strike a deal for a light punishment.

“I cannot see him getting a monster sentence,” a former Air Force lawyer, John Economidy, said. “I could see him getting a dishonorable discharge.”

USA Today reports on the reaction of soldiers who knew Bergdahl, or were involved in the missions to find him:

“The Army did the right thing here,” said Cody Full, 26, a former platoon mate of Bergdahl’s.

“You give an oath,” Full said. “You sign your name to serve your country. no matter what you’re supposed to fill that oath.”

Evan Buetow, 28, who was a sergeant and team leader of Bergdahl’s unit, said he was pleased to see the charges brought.

“The whole reason we came forward last year when they released Bowe, we knew he needed to answer for what he did,” he said. “We knew he was not a hero. … He had to answer for why he deserted, and that’s what happened.”

The real story is the absolute failure of the Obama administration in releasing 5 high level terrorist leaders in exchange for a traitor. At least 3 of those 5 men have already tried to reconnect with terrorist networks.

Just another example of how short-sighted and ill-thought this administration’s foreign policy has been.