UPDATE, Jan. 27, 12:17 p.m. ET: An Army spokesman said no decision has been made on charges for Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl.
—
Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, who was reportedly held captive by Taliban militants for five years, will be charged with desertion for leaving his post, according to sources of retired Lt. Col. Tony Schaffer. Bergdahl was only released after President Barack Obama negotiated with the terrorists, agreeing to release five prisoners from Guantanamo Bay.
Schaffer, senior fellow at the London Center for Policy Research, told Bill O’Reilly on Monday night that his sources have confirmed the Army has concluded its investigation and Bergdahl’s lawyer has been given a “charge sheet” informing him of the desertion charge.
This undated image provided by the U.S. Army shows Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl. The Taliban proposed a deal in which they would free the U.S. soldier held captive since 2009 in exchange for five of their most senior operatives at Guantanamo Bay, while Afghan President Hamid Karzai eased his opposition Thursday June 20, 2013 to joining planned peace talks. (AP)
“This has been done, the decision has been made,” Schaffer asserted. “And let me be very clear, as a corporate entity, the Army has decided that they want to pursue Bergdahl for this violation."
It's important to note that Schaffer's claims have yet to be confirmed by the U.S. Army or government officials.
He said the next step in the case will be similar to the grand jury process. If the charges stand, the Bergdahl case will proceed to a court-martial, according to Schaffer. Watch the interview via "The O'Reilly Factor" on Fox News:
Schaffer also said the Obama administration has been keeping details on the desertion charges hidden from the public. He personally placed blame on Ben Rhodes, Obama’s deputy national security advisor.
"This is shaping up to be a Titanic struggle behind the scenes," he added. "Believe me, the Army here wants to do the right thing. Factually, there's no way they can not do the right thing regarding Bergdahl. And the White House, because of the political narrative, President Obama cozying up to the parents and because he, President Obama, releasing the five Taliban... The narrative is what the White House does not want to have come out."
(H/T: Weasel Zippers)
---
