- The Washington Times - Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Rep. Mike Rogers, Michigan Republican and chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, said Tuesday he would not have made the exchange that led to Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl’s release.

“Bringing Sergeant Bergdahl home is one thing,” he said on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.” “I would have continued to pursue his release not under these circumstances.”

His comments came shortly after President Obama defended the administration’s decision to transfer five former Guantanamo Bay detainees for the freedom of Sgt. Bergdahl, who had been held captive for nearly five years in Afghanistan.

Mr. Rogers acknowledged that the administration in 2011 had a meeting with leaders of House and Senate committees that dealt with national security and, on a bipartisan basis, the congressional leaders concluded that the prospect of such an exchange wasn’t a great idea.

“That’s the last time we’ve really heard from the administration,” he said.

• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.

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