The military judge overseeing the Bowe Bergdahl case says Trump's rhetoric is 'disturbing'
Thomson Reuters
Army Col. Jeffery Nance made the comments at a pre-trial hearing while reviewing footage of Trump on the campaign trail, where he repeatedly called Bergdahl a "traitor" who should be executed. Bergdahl's lawyers are hoping the case will be dismissed due to "unlawful command influence" that would make it impossible to receive a fair trial.
The defense offered more than 40 instances of Trump publicly criticizing Bergdahl at rallies and in interviews.
Bergdahl, 30, is facing charges of desertion and misbehavior before the enemy after he walked away from his post in Afghanistan in 2009. He was later captured by the Taliban and held prisoner for five years, before he was released in a prisoner swap that was orchestrated by the Obama administration.
"I have grave concerns as to whether Sergeant Bergdahl can receive a fair trial given the beating he has taken over many months from Mr. Trump," Eugene Fidell, Bergdahl's lawyer, told The New York Times in December. "It is really most unfair."
Military prosecutors dismissed Trump's comments as nothing more than campaign rhetoric.
"These comments are clearly intended to try to attack a political opponent for political gain," Army Maj. Justin Oshana said, according to the AP.
"You're not at all concerned about the statement he made, 'If I get in we will review his case,'" the judge asked Oshana, "after ranting and raving about no jail time?"
The judge did not rule on the defense's request Monday, but a written decision is expected at a later date.
- Global stocks rally even as Sensex, Nifty fall sharply on Friday
- In second consecutive week of decline, forex kitty drops $2.28 bn to $640.33 bn
- SBI Life Q4 profit rises 4% to ₹811 crore
- IMD predicts severe heatwave conditions over East, South Peninsular India for next five days
- COVID lockdown-related school disruptions will continue to worsen students’ exam results into the 2030s: study
- JNK India IPO allotment date
- JioCinema New Plans
- Realme Narzo 70 Launched
- Apple Let Loose event
- Elon Musk Apology
- RIL cash flows
- Charlie Munger
- Feedbank IPO allotment
- Tata IPO allotment
- Most generous retirement plans
- Broadcom lays off
- Cibil Score vs Cibil Report
- Birla and Bajaj in top Richest
- Nestle Sept 2023 report
- India Equity Market