GOP Rep. Mike Rogers Denounces Decision to Release Taliban Detainees
The first signs of criticism from Republicans are starting to emerge over the release of five Taliban detainees from Guantanamo Bay in exchange for the release of Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, who had been held as a prisoner of war since 2009. As of late Saturday afternoon, House Intelligence Chair Mike Rogers (R-MI) has come out as the harshest critic of the decision.
CNN correspondent Erin McPike read a statement from Rogers on the air:
“I’m extremely troubled that the United States negotiated with terrorists and agreed to swap five senior Taliban leaders who are responsible for the deaths of many Americans. This fundamental shift in U.S. policy signals to terrorists around the world a greater incentive to take U.S. hostages.”
In addition to those words, NBC News reporter Frank Thorp quoted Rogers as saying he believes the decision will “threaten the lives of American soldiers for years to come.”
House Intel Chair Mike Rogers on Bergdahl swap: "I believe this decision will threaten the lives of American soldiers for years to come.”
— Frank Thorp V (@frankthorpNBC) May 31, 2014
CNN’s McPike went on to quote an unnamed Obama administration official who defended the move, saying, “The transfer of these individuals is not a concession, it is fully in line with the president’s goal of closing the detention center at Guantanamo Bay.” The official explained that the five men are being delivered to the government of Qatar and not directly to the Taliban in Afghanistan.
Rogers’ words echoed that of House Armed Services Committee chairman Howard P. McKeon (R-CA) and ranking Senate Armed Services Republican James Inhofe (R-OK), who released a joint statement reading:
“Trading five senior Taliban leaders from detention in Guantanamo Bay for Bergdahl’s release may have consequences for the rest of our forces and all Americans. Our terrorist adversaries now have a strong incentive to capture Americans. That incentive will put our forces in Afghanistan and around the world at even greater risk.”
On the other hand, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), who himself was held as a prisoner of war for five years in Vietman, released a statement that was somewhat more cautious:
“These particular individuals are hardened terrorists who have the blood of Americans and countless Afghans on their hands. I am eager to learn what precise steps are being taken to ensure that these vicious and violent Taliban extremists never return to the fight against the United States and our partners or engage in any activities that can threaten the prospects for peace and security in Afghanistan.”
Watch video below, via CNN:
[Photo via screengrab]
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