In September we reported on the hearing of Army Pfc. Bowe Bergdahl, the deserter who was released by the Taliban after Barack Obama nefariously agreed to exchange five terrorists. As we noted at the time, “Bergdahl’s fate won’t be known for some time. The Article 32 hearing must come back with the recommendation that he face trial — a trial that will be in the public spotlight and drag out this story for an indeterminate amount of time.” Well, the outcome became even more clouded with this astounding report via ABC News: “The Army officer who presided over … Bergdahl’s preliminary hearing last month has recommended that he should not face any jail time or a punitive discharge for charges of desertion and misbehavior before the enemy, the sergeant’s lawyers said. According to Bergdahl’s defense team, the officer has also recommended that Bergdahl’s case should proceed to a lower level court martial that limits a maximum penalty for convictions to a year in prison. A four star general will review the officer’s recommendation and determine how Bergdahl’s case will be handled.”

Remember: Six soldiers died looking for Bergdahl after he walked away. Allen West, a retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel who knows a thing or two about the Army’s Article 32 hearing, rightly points out that politics is behind today’s report: “If General Robert Abrams accepts the recommendation of LTC Visger, ladies and gents, you truly no longer have leadership in the U.S. Army. What you will have is a gathering of spineless lackeys who — for whatever reason — are intimidated by the Obama White House and the modern day Rasputin, Valerie Jarrett.” He added, “There can be no doubt that there has been undue command influence at the highest levels in this case. This is why Bergdahl’s defense attorney was never concerned. He didn’t seek a ‘plea bargain’ and allowed this to take its course. He knew very well there was no possibility the maximum punishment would ever happen — heck, there may be no punishment at all. … [I]f Bowe Bergdahl is rewarded for walking away before the enemy, what becomes the new definition of honor? I guess it’s all part of the fundamental transformation of our beloved Republic.” Gen. Abrams now has to decide whether to honor his oath or protect Obama’s legacy. What a damning development.