O’Reilly, Krauthammer clash over Bergdahl: ‘You’re desperately wrong on this!’

A spirited debate erupted on Monday between strong-willed giants at Fox News over the fate of accused deserter Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl.

The Obama administration exchanged five Guantanamo Bay detainees for Bergdahl, even as evidence was present that he left his post willingly.

“Is there any clear-thinking person who now believes that trading the sergeant for five top Taliban commanders was a good idea?” Fox News’ host Bill O’Reilly asked.

Long-time Fox contributor Charles Krauthammer answered emphatically, “yes,” and the two went toe to toe on whether the swap was justified as well as debating the punishment Bergdahl should face if he is convicted.

A New York Times editorial sparked outrage last week saying that a conviction would deprive the “traumatized” veteran of his rights and a “dishonorable discharge would make it harder for him to rebuild his life as a civilian.”

O’Reilly opposed the idea of an honorable discharge and back pay for the soldier, but said the country should show mercy on Bergdahl because he’s hurting.

“No honorable anything, no back pay, but no vengeance either,” he said.

“It’s not a question of vengeance, it’s a question of justice,” Krauthammer said, arguing that the deal was justified.

“Let me get this straight, if you were the president of the United States, you would’ve traded five top Taliban commanders held in Guantanamo Bay for Sgt. Bergdahl?” O’Reilly asked.

“The Israelis traded 1,000 prisoners for a single corporal,” Krauthammer said.

“I would’ve made the deal, but I would’ve issued a statement saying it is with the deepest regret, this is a terrible day, this is a dark day, we had to release people who we know will go to war against us, but we have a principle, we want to bring people back if we can,” Krauthammer said.

“I gotta challenge you . . . You’re desperately wrong on this,” O’Reilly fired back.

Those Taliban prisoners will likely be back in the field killing Americans, he argued. Not to mention the fact that soldiers were killed and hurt looking for Bergdahl.

Krauthammer wasn’t swayed.

“We release people from Guantanamo every week every month without anything in return,” he said. Even deserters deserve to know the U.S. has their back.

The two men agreed to disagree on both the wisdom of the trade and Bergdahl’s fate should he be convicted.

Krauthammer said life in prison could be appropriate, while O’Reilly thinks he’s suffered enough.

What do you think?

Video via Fox News.

 

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