The prisoner exchange that won freedom for Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl after five years in Taliban hands is stirring a debate over whether the exchange will heighten the risk of other Americans being snatched as bargaining chips and whether the released detainees will find their way back to the fight.
U.S. Rep. and Senate candidate James Lankford (R-Okla. 5) says he believes the Obama administration broke the law by not notifying Congress before releasing five Taliban detainees from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
http://youtu.be/4kwFiMMca5Y
"The individuals that were released - they were the top opium dealers, they were defense personnel, they were intelligence personnel, they were people that were convicted for war crimes," Lankford said. "These were serious individuals, and to say that they were going to release them over the course of a weekend without any kind of consultation from anyone from outside of the Obama administration is pretty serious. It's a violation of the law, and also it's just not prudent."
Speaking to Carol Costello on CNN's Newsroom Monday morning, Lankford said he wants hearings so Congress can be better informed as to the process and protocol of detainee transfers and prisoner exchanges.
"That's entirely reasonable to talk through the process on this," Lankford said. "Who was notified? How was the decision made? How should this be handled in the future? And to be able to hold to account any individuals that intentionally violated the law."
U.S. officials say that Bergdahl's health and safety appeared in jeopardy, prompting their quick action. Other Republicans say the deal could set a troubling precedent.
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