Should President Obama pardon deserter Bowe Bergdahl? | The Tylt

An Army Sanity Board found at the time of Bowe's desertion, he was suffering from mental illness. His Taliban captors held him in brutal conditions for the five years he was imprisoned, including locking him in a cage and in darkness for lengthy periods. Supporters of the pardon say he has suffered enough. 

But many want to see Bergdahl tried and punished, and say a pardon from Obama would be a betrayal of the military. "It’s unfortunate that he was a prisoner for five years, but it’s his own fault,” Bergdahl's former platoon mate Sgt. Matt Vierkant said during an interview with Fox and Friends. "He has to be held accountable for his actions."

27 members of Congress wrote a letter to President Obama urging him not to pardon Bergdahl.

Bergdahl's lawyer argues because President-elect Trump has publicly called for Bergdahl's execution, he will not be able to receive a fair trial.