Update June 4, 2014 at 11:55 a.m. ET: Congressman Stephen F. Lynch (D-MA) has joined the small but growing club of politicians who have deleted tweets initially sent in support of Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl’s release. Rep. Lynch is the first Democrat to do so, according to deleted tweets archived on Politwoops.com, adding a bit of bipartisanship to the mix. He deleted his two tweets, which said, "Great to hear that Bo Bergdahl has been released from captivity in Afgh/Pak. Warmest regards to his family with gratitude for his/their service and sacrifice," three days after first posting them to Twitter.

Image: Politwoops

Image: Politwoops

At least three prominent Republicans appeared to offer praise on Twitter for the rescue of American POW Bowe Bergdahl — only to later backtrack, scrubbing their tweets or websites of any mention of the soldier after questions arose over the prisoner swap that freed him.

Republicans have widely criticized the Obama administration for swapping five high-level Taliban prisoners for Bergdahl, who many believe defected from his base because he was unhappy with the U.S. military’s actions in Afghanistan.

But before those criticisms mounted, some members of the GOP didn't hesitate to welcome Bergdahl's release with open arms.

Rep. Lee Terry (R-NE)

"A grateful nation welcomes the news of the return of Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl," Rep. Lee Terry (R-NE) said in a statement that's since been removed from his website.

"I have the pleasure of regularly speaking with our nation's active duty military and veterans and I know that there is nothing more solemn than the pledge to never leave one of their own behind on the field of battle," Terry said in the statement, before calling Bergdahl "a national hero."

A tweet sent from the congressman's account still stands, calling Bergdahl's release "wonderful news." But in place of the statement on his website is this message: "We are sorry, but there is no document by that reference here."

Yesterday we heard wonderful news of the release of Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl. A grateful nation welcomes him home. >> http://t.co/QiDXl0X0rw — Rep. Lee Terry (@LEETERRYNE) June 1, 2014



Larry Farnsworth, Terry's communications director, tells Mashable in a statement, “We’ve heard and learned of some things that are extremely troubling in the last two days and we believed it was appropriate to take it down.”

The pulled statement was first noticed by The Upshot's Derek Willis.

Rep. Mark Amodei (R-NV)

Rep. Mark Amodei (R-NV) seemed excited when he heard the news, too.

"Best news I've heard in a long time!" the Twitter account for the Republican congressman said, including the hashtag "#standwithbowe" and a link to a USA Today story about the soldier's release.

A deleted tweet sent from the Twitter account of Rep. Mark Amodei. Image: Politwoops

That tweet has since been removed from his account, too, deleted after 15 hours, according to Politwoops, a website by the Sunlight Foundation that tracks deleted tweets sent by politicians.

A representative for Amodei tells Mashable, "Upon hearing the news, his spokesperson quickly posted something expressing happiness in the return of a POW, without knowing the terms of the release or consulting the congressman. When more became known, the post was taken down."

Joni Ernst, GOP Senate candidate in Iowa

Joni Ernst, the leading Republican candidate hoping to replace retiring Sen. Tom Harkin in Iowa, tweeted at 3:31 p.m. on May 31, "US Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl freed after being reported missing 5 yrs in Afghanistan. Thoughts & prayers go out to Sgt. Bergdahl & his family."

A deleted tweet sent from the Twitter account of Joni Ernst. Image: Politwoops

That tweet was removed after 25 minutes.

Other Republicans have been vocal in their criticism of the Obama administration's actions.

"What does this tell the terrorists? That if you capture a U.S. soldier, you can trade that soldier for five terrorists," Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) said on ABC's This Week, calling the prisoner swap "very disturbing."

California Rep. Buck McKeon, chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, said of Obama: “I think in the eyes of many, he broke the law by not informing Congress 30 days before that.” His committee will hold hearings on the prisoner swap.

Conservative media are taking it further, with the leading beacon of the right, the Drudge Report, calling Bergdahl a "rat."

Image: Drudge Report

Mashable reached out to the office of Joni Ernst and will update if and when we hear back.