Posted on 06/03/2014 6:39:03 PM PDT by kristinn
The Obama administration has apologized for bypassing Congress before it released senior Taliban commanders from Guantanamo Bay as part of a controversial prisoner exchange.
The expression of regret was a major shift for the White House, which had previously offered a defiant defense on why it could not adhere to the notification provisions of a 2013 law.
SNIP
White House chief of staff Denis McDonough said Monday that Congress knew well in advance that the president might release detainees from Guantanamo in exchange for Bergdahl.
“We’ve been consulting with members of Congress about this effort, including the potential transfer of five Gitmo detainees, for years,” he said. “So this should not have been a surprise to any of the members of Congress who’ve been … commenting about it.”
Other administration officials, including Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, have indicated swift action was needed because of Bergdahl’s deteriorating health.
Over the last several days, the White House has suggested that talks about a possible trade have gone on for years. During a speech in Poland on Tuesday, Obama said his administration “has consulted with Congress for quite some time” on the issue.
However, House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-Mich.) on Tuesday pointed out that lawmakers hadn’t been briefed on a Bergdahl exchange since 2011.
McDonough, meanwhile, struck a more conciliatory tone when he met with Senate Democrats at a Tuesday lunch meeting to discuss their concerns about the deal.
“He was brought to the caucus today to explain the situation with Bergdahl, and he ended his presentation by saying, ‘If anyone has any questions, I’ll be happy to talk to you,’ ” Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) told reporters.
(Excerpt) Read more at thehill.com ...
I would not put it past them. From what I have seen from this Administration, your assessment is entirely possible.
The AFPAK soldiers were not supposed to speak up.
And my guess is that when his dad spoke Arabic and said a prayer to Allah, Obama smiled caused he realized he just got punked.
It could happen, but it’s hard to believe in it as advanced planning. After all, Bergdahl has been a willing hostage, a deserter, it seems. He doesn’t seem the type to think THAT far ahead.
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