A military judge will not dismiss charges against Bowe Bergdahl despite President Trump's harsh criticism of the Army sergeant during the campaign.



According to The Associated Press, Army Col. Jeffery Nance ruled on Friday that while Trump's comments were "disturbing and disappointing" they hadn't prevented the soldier from receiving a fair trial.

Bergdahl's lawyers have maintained that the case against their client should be dropped in light of Trump's public remarks. Trump repeatedly blasted Bergdahl during the presidential campaign, labeling him a "traitor."



"We're tired of Sgt. Bergdahl, who's a traitor, a no-good traitor, who should have been executed," Trump said in October 2015.



“Thirty years ago, he would have been shot,” he added.



The prosecutors, however, argued that the comments are not relevant to the case since they were made before Trump became the commander in chief.



Bergdahl is charged with desertion and misbehavior before the enemy after walking off his post in Afghanistan in 2009.

He was later captured by the Taliban and remained a prisoner until 2014, when the Obama administration secured his release in exchange for five Taliban prisoners.

Bergdahl is scheduled for trial in April and could face life in prison.