State Department Spokesperson Jen Psaki said that the prisoner swap for Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl was “absolutely” “worth it” and that Bergdahl “served his country as many men and women have” on Wednesday’s “Kelly File” on the Fox News Channel.
“Was it worth it? Absolutely. We have a commitment to our men and women serving in our military defending our national security every day that we’re going to do everything to bring them home if we can and that’s what we did in this case” she stated.
She also expressed confidence that the US would be able to keep an eye on the five Guantanamo detainees released for Bergdahl, saying “we have the ability to track and work with the Qataris. The reason that we know that individuals were reportedly online and engaging with individuals they shouldn’t be is because we track it. It means the system of tracking works.”
Psaki also declared she wouldn’t “pre-judge” the investigation, and while she did not specifically endorse Susan Rice’s remark that Bergdahl served with “honor and distinction,” she added “I think we look at Sergeant Bergdahl as somebody who served his country as many men and women have. It’s been quite some time since we brought him home, and there’s been some time for those in the military justice system to take a look at this case, and we’ll all be the judge of that once that decision’s made.”
Follow Ian Hanchett on Twitter @IanHanchett