The Pentagon is denying multiple media reports that Bowe Bergdahl will be charged with desertion.
The Obama administration traded five Taliban commanders in return for the release of Bowe Bergdahl, and White House Deputy Press Secretary Eric Schultz was asked about the administration’s policy of not making concessions to terrorists. Schultz explained it this way:
White House says "The Taliban is an armed insurgency, ISIL is a terrorist group" on prisonner swaps.
— Byron Tau (@ByronTau) January 28, 2015
https://twitter.com/conncarroll/status/560512105074679808
Asked about concessions- WH spox says ISIL is a terrorist group but the Taliban is "an armed insurgency"-we don't negotiate with terrorists
— Bret Baier (@BretBaier) January 28, 2015
https://twitter.com/JimmyPrinceton/status/560516066606989312
In other words, “it depends on what your definition of ‘terrorists’ is.”
https://twitter.com/JimmyPrinceton/status/560514543088979968
The Taliban has never been designated a foreign terrorist organization. But Haqqani and Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan are.
— Gabriel Malor (@gabrielmalor) January 28, 2015
However, by executive order the Taliban is part of the Specially Designated Global Terrorists group.
— Gabriel Malor (@gabrielmalor) January 28, 2015
It's both, really. RT @SalenaZitoTrib: Um…. @conncarroll: Schultz insists Taliban is an "armed insurgency" not a "terrorist group"
— Ed Morrissey (@EdMorrissey) January 28, 2015
White House claims Taliban is not a terrorist group. Let's ask Peshawar. http://t.co/ED3C6wP1pt pic.twitter.com/5SrIcivtPC
— Stephen Miller (@redsteeze) January 28, 2015
@EdMorrissey @SalenaZitoTrib @conncarroll Is there such a thing as an unarmed insurgency?
— Graham Powell (@graham_powell) January 28, 2015
GOP rapid response already hitting @Schultz44’s for his Taliban answer to @jonkarl -> http://t.co/U3YckWRI7o
— Charlie Spiering (@charliespiering) January 28, 2015
Politifact says: self serving BS RT @ByronTau: WH says "The Taliban is an armed insurgency, ISIL is a terrorist group" on prisoner swaps.
— Michael Cohen (@speechboy71) January 28, 2015
@BretBaier what? That's insane! There's no difference POTUS and his band of merry men are so off the reservation
— America Fight Back (@bfigueredo) January 28, 2015
@BretBaier boy, talking about splitting hairs. What do they need? One more kill, 10 more kills, 100 more kills to be classifiedas terrorists
— les (@stump54jumper) January 28, 2015
@BretBaier Semantics! Taliban will KILL YOU DEAD just as any AQ/ISIL follower. Complete BS so they say release of Bergdahl 5 not terrorist!
— Bill Irwin (@BillIrwin16) January 28, 2015
Possible topic for tomorrow’s presser:
https://twitter.com/elisefoley/status/560515629263118337
Editor’s note: This post has been updated to include an additional tweet.