The lawyer representing Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, who left his infantry post and was held by the Taliban for five years, says callous statements Donald Trump is making about his client are threatening the soldier's right to a fair trial.
In a town hall this week, the GOP presidential candidate called Bergdahl a "dirty, rotten traitor" and denounced the Obama administration's decision to exchange Bergdahl in 2014 for five Taliban leaders from the U.S. prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Trump also claimed six U.S. troops died while searching for Bergdahl.
Bergdahl's lawyer, Eugene Fidell, said Thursday his client is charged with desertion and misbehavior before the enemy, not treason.
He added that Army prosecutors have said they will not offer any evidence that anyone died looking for his client.
© Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.