Bowe Bergdahl Avoids Prison for Desertion; Trump Calls Sentence a ‘Disgrace’
- 7 years ago
Bowe Bergdahl Avoids Prison for Desertion; Trump Calls Sentence a ‘Disgrace’
Then, last month, Mr. Trump seemed to endorse his earlier sentiments about Sergeant
Bergdahl, saying, “I think people have heard my comments in the past.”
After another protest by the defense, Colonel Nance ruled that he would consider the president’s comments as mitigation evidence.
Bowe Bergdahl, who walked off his Army base in Afghanistan in 2009 and was held captive by the Taliban for five years, received no prison time for desertion or endangering troops,
but was ordered by a military judge on Friday to be dishonorably discharged from the Army.
President Trump, who has labeled Sergeant Bergdahl a “dirty rotten traitor,” called Friday’s sentence “a complete
and total disgrace to our Country and to our Military.”
The decision on Sergeant Bergdahl is a complete and total disgrace to our Country and to our Military.
Colonel Nance labeled Mr. Trump’s comments about Sergeant Bergdahl “disturbing,” but declined to throw out the case.
During the sentencing hearing, Sergeant Bergdahl apologized for his misconduct, saying he never intended for anyone to get hurt, and
that he grieved “for those who have suffered and their families.”
He added, “I’m admitting I made a horrible mistake.”
The lead Army prosecutor, Maj. Justin Oshana, drew a comparison between Sergeant Bergdahl and those who were hurt through his actions.
Then, last month, Mr. Trump seemed to endorse his earlier sentiments about Sergeant
Bergdahl, saying, “I think people have heard my comments in the past.”
After another protest by the defense, Colonel Nance ruled that he would consider the president’s comments as mitigation evidence.
Bowe Bergdahl, who walked off his Army base in Afghanistan in 2009 and was held captive by the Taliban for five years, received no prison time for desertion or endangering troops,
but was ordered by a military judge on Friday to be dishonorably discharged from the Army.
President Trump, who has labeled Sergeant Bergdahl a “dirty rotten traitor,” called Friday’s sentence “a complete
and total disgrace to our Country and to our Military.”
The decision on Sergeant Bergdahl is a complete and total disgrace to our Country and to our Military.
Colonel Nance labeled Mr. Trump’s comments about Sergeant Bergdahl “disturbing,” but declined to throw out the case.
During the sentencing hearing, Sergeant Bergdahl apologized for his misconduct, saying he never intended for anyone to get hurt, and
that he grieved “for those who have suffered and their families.”
He added, “I’m admitting I made a horrible mistake.”
The lead Army prosecutor, Maj. Justin Oshana, drew a comparison between Sergeant Bergdahl and those who were hurt through his actions.