Krauthammer says the West has long come out on the short end of prisoner swaps. | John Shinkle/POLITICO Krauthammer backs Bergdahl deal

Charles Krauthammer says he supports President Barack Obama’s deal to bring Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl home.


“Had the choice been mine I would have made the same choice,” Krauthammer told Fox News’ “Special Report” on Wednesday. “It’s a difficult decision, and I would not attack those who have done otherwise.”

Krauthammer said those in the West “put a value on the individual human life the way that the ones at the other end of the table don’t,” specifically citing an example in which Israelis had to release 1,000 terrorists in exchange for one sergeant who had been taken captive.

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“These are dangerous militants, but we have long engaged in and all other countries in the West have engaged in hostage swaps where the West always comes out on the short end,” Krauthammer said.

The conservative commentator also argued that claims about whether Bergdahl had deserted are making people more critical of Obama’s decision to release the five Guantánamo detainees and Krauthammer told Fox host Bret Baier to “assume that this had been somebody who had served honorably.”

“It would still be a very difficult decision to release five commanders in return,” Krauthammer said. “But I think people would say ‘Tough call, but OK.’”

( DRIVING THE DAY: Congress left out of Bergdahl deal)

On Thursday on Fox, Krauthammer upped his criticism of the deal, saying it looks as if the administration is “trying to make up reasons to justify a presidential decision.”

“The fact they had to come up with a new excuse today that they thought he might be killed, and why would you say that the fourth, the fifth day after all this?” Kruathammer said on Fox News’ “Special Report.” “Tells you how much they are reaching and how little you can really believe.”

The conservative columnist also questioned “what’s going on” at the hospital in Germany where Bergdahl is being treated.

“We are getting infinitely less information of out of our own government about his actual health condition, which is the issue they’re leaning on, than we’re getting from the Taliban, which is rather interesting from an administration that prides itself on how open and honest and transparent it is,” Krauthammer said. “If it goes on any longer, I think we’re have to imagine there might be some witness tampering happening.”

Krauthammer was not asked about and did not comment on his support for Obama’s deal which the commentator went public with on Wednesday.

Lucy McCalmont contributed to this report.