Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) joked Friday that instead of releasing five Taliban detainees to secure the release of a U.S. solider, President Barack Obama should hand over Democrats to seal the deal.
“Mr. President, you love to trade people,” Paul said at the Texas GOP Convention in Fort Worth, as quoted by Politico. “Why don’t we set up a trade? But this time, instead of five Taliban, how about five Democrats?” he joked. “I’m thinking John Kerry, Hillary Clinton, Nancy Pelosi …”
The Kentucky Republican referenced a U.S. Marine being detained in Mexico when he made his proposal, according to Politico.
Humor aside, Paul condemned the deal that freed Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl for its legal and national security implications.
“I don’t know about y’all, but I’ve been a little bit annoyed with the president,” he said, as quoted by Politico. “Releasing five Taliban senior officials is not only against the law, it’s illegal and wrong and he should never have done it.”