Inhofe OpEd In Time Mag: Who Will Be Held Accountable for Bergdahl Swap?
Sen. Inhofe: Who Will Be Held Accountable for Bergdahl Swap?
by Sen. Jim Inhofe
The president has set a dangerous standard
Our nation has always, and will always, do everything within its power to bring our service men and women home and account for every last one who did not return, no matter the circumstances. Our military men and women know that when they are sent into harm’s way, they will never be left behind.
Nonetheless, the military took appropriate action on Wednesday in charging Bergdahl for desertion based on evidence presented. The nation should feel confident in its Uniform Code of Military Justice system as it reviews Bergdahl’s case and makes a determination regarding his accountability. The Uniform Code of Military Justice is critical to ensuring the rights of our service men and women are protected.
While Bergdahl will ultimately be held accountable for his actions, who will be held accountable for breaking the lawregarding the release of prisoners from the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba?
In executing the transfer of five detainees from Guantanamo Bay in exchange for Bergdahl, the president violated a law that requires him to notify Congress 30 days before any transfer of terrorists from the detention facility and to explain how the threat posed by the terrorists has been substantially mitigated. His failure to adhere to a law he signed places our nation’s security at great risk for the foreseeable future.