Hartzler: No Presidential pardon for Bergdahl

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-Mo.) released the following statement following reports of a clemency application submitted by Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl to avoid trial on charges of desertion and endangering his fellow soldiers:

“Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl’s request for a presidential pardon is an appalling show of disrespect to our nation’s military and justice system. I urge President Obama to deny this request and to respect the decision of an Army Commander to order Sgt. Bergdahl prosecuted in a general court-martial. It is in that setting I hope Sgt. Bergdahl’s grave offenses are addressed, and military order along with due process is upheld.”

Hartzler serves as Chairwoman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, and has released a report on “The Department of Defense’s May 2014 Transfer to Qatar of five law-of-war detainees in connection with the recovery of a captive U.S. soldier.” She represents Missouri’s Fourth Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.