Krauthammer Defends Bergdahl Release: Why Is Congress Upset? (VIDEO)

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Charles Krauthammer on Tuesday defended President Obama’s legal authority to negotiate for the release of Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl following cries from members of Congress on both sides of the aisle that the President should have consulted them about the exchange.

Krauthammer explained on Fox News that the law cited by lawmakers was meant to keep Obama from “emptying Guantanamo unilaterally,” but that this prisoner swap was different.

“The one area where the President holds the upper hand in those disputes is in matters of war and peace. He’s commander-in-chief. And I think a prisoner of war exchange is in the province of the presidency,” he said.

Krauthammer added that he found it “odd” that Congress “all of a sudden is upset in the one area where the President has the strongest claim to act unilaterally, and that is in matters of war and peace.”

The conservative pundit still criticized Obama — for not using this exact argument.

“I’m surprised he didn’t make this case. The idea that there was a health issue was a crock. That’s really ridiculous. Who’s going to believe that?” Krauthammer asked.

Watch the clip via Media Matters:

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