Gabbard: Bergdahl Prisoner Swap Risks National Security
Hawaii representative raises concerns with Secretary Hagel at House hearing.
U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard听was part of the House Armed Services Committee hearing today听on the听prisoner swap to recover听Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl.
Gabbard, according to her office, shared her concern with听Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel听that exchanging Bergdahl for five members of the Taliban being held at听Guantanamo Bay, Cuba,听poses a听national security risk.
鈥淭he first warrior ethos that all servicemembers abide by is, 鈥業听will always place the mission first,'” Gabbard said in a press release after the Hagel hearing. “Although as a Soldier and veteran I听know firsthand the importance of leaving no man behind, I also know that the context of each situation must be considered carefully to ensure that we are not compromising the mission: keeping our country and our people safe.”
Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl.
Flickr: United States Army
Gabbard continued: “The fact is: the five Taliban terrorists who were released are strategists and commanders, not foot soldiers, and as such, present a threat to the United States and our interests, wherever they are free to strategize with Taliban and other leaders, even while they remain in Qatar.”
Hagel has defended the prisoner exchange. But the听congresswoman said comments听by the Obama administration that the听released听Taliban do not pose a significant threat “are preposterous.”
Gabbard pointed to the听President鈥檚 Guantanamo Review Task Force in 2010听that she said determined that the听five prisoners were “too dangerous to transfer.”
The prisoner swap, she said,听“sets a dangerous precedent, and puts a听target on the back of every American overseas, military and civilian.鈥澨
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