In an unusual photo op, President Obama walks to the Rose Garden with his arm around the waist of Jani Bergdahl, mother of Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl. (dailymail.co.uk)
A casually dressed President Obama was all smiles as he left the Oval Office with his arm around Jani Bergdahl as they headed for a Rose Garden photo op to announce that United States had secured the release of her son, Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, in exchange for five terrorists being held at Guantanamo.
I have witnessed a number of such walks to the Rose Garden, with staff appointments, judicial nominees and special guests, but never has the president taken them arm and arm let alone with his arm around their waist. It was truly unusual.
Who thought this photo op was something he should do? Obama himself? Yes, he was prisoner of war being released, but what about the murky circumstances of the case? Clearly, he deserted his post in Afghanistan five years earlier.
Adding to the questionable occasion, there was the sergeant’s father Robert Bergdahl, looking Islamic with a beard and speaking in the Afghan language of Pashtu. “In the name of Allah, the most merciful,” he thanked those who helped secure his son’s freedom.
Robert Bergdahl’s remarks in the Afghan language of Pashtu was unsettling to many. (WSJ.com)
Maj. Gen. Kenneth R. Dahl, tasked with conducting the investigation of Bergdahl’s desertion, completed his report three months ago and referred the case to Gen. Mark Milley, head of U.S. Army Forces Command, to determine what punishment to administer. The delay in announcing the sergeant’s fate has set off speculation that a cover up of sorts is in the making.
Obviously, the president wants to avoid any further embarrassment in his handling of this case. Will he use executive privilege as a cover, similar to Fast & Furious? Would he dare to pardon the sergeant?
Frankly, nothing would surprise me.
