Bowe Bergdahl received a dishonorable discharge from the US Army, but will avoid prison time for desertion and misbehavior before the enemy after abandoning his outpost in Afghanistan in 2009, a military judge ruled Friday.
The judge ordered that Bergdahl's rank be reduced from sergeant to private. Additionally, Bergdahl will be required to pay a $1,000 fine from his salary for the next 10 months.
"Sgt. Bergdahl has looked forward to today for a long time," Eugene Fidell, Bergdahl's civilian attorney, said at a news conference after the proceedings.
"As everyone knows, he was a captive of the Taliban for nearly five years, and three more years have elapsed while the legal process unfolded. He has lost nearly a decade of his life."
Pretty ballsy to talk about what Bergdahl "lost" when there were six soldiers who died searching for him upon his desertion. Perhaps the most galling aspect of this decision was the judge citing President Trump's comments as a factor in this decision.
So the judge went easy on Bergdahl to go after Trump. He all but said so earlier in the week. That's wrong. pic.twitter.com/dXDNMGPwDa— John Podhoretz (@jpodhoretz) November 3, 2017
While I agree that Trump should be more measured in his comments of these high-profile legal issues, the idea that they're considered in this decision is outrageous. Given the constant thwarting of Trump's travel ban at different circuit courts in addition to the Bergdahl ruling, it's pretty apparent the "resistance" movement is permeating multiple areas of the legal system. So much for justice being blind.
It'll be interesting to see whomever takes on the case of the most recent NYC terrorist and if these comments are considered a "mitigating factor."
NYC terrorist was happy as he asked to hang ISIS flag in his hospital room. He killed 8 people, badly injured 12. SHOULD GET DEATH PENALTY!— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 2, 2017
Again, because this happened in Trump's home area of New York City, I understand his explosive reaction. However, he needs to know such rhetoric is not at all helpful and, as recent evidence suggests, maybe a hindrance.
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