Obama White House shifts blame to Hagel for terrorist swap

Cochise · 06-10-2014, 06:58 AM

Now the White House says Hagel made final call on Bergdahl as criticism of Obama over prisoner swap mounts

*Congress learned on Monday that Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel gave final approval for the prisoner exchange that freed Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl
*Last week, Hagel said the swap was a unanimous decision made by senior officials
*Hagel is expected to defend the prisoner exchange on Wednesday in an appearance before the House Armed Services Committee

By ZOE SZATHMARY
PUBLISHED: 01:05 EST, 10 June 2014 | UPDATED: 01:05 EST, 10 June 2014

FInal approval for the prisoner exchange that freed Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl was made by Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, members of Congress learned on Monday from administration officials.

'They indicated (it was) Secretary Hagel (who made the final call),' Rep. Buck McKeon (R-CA) said after a classified briefing, ABC points out.

'It was the president of the United States that came out (in the Rose Garden) with the Bergdahls and took all the credit and now that there’s been a little pushback he’s moving away from it and it’s Secretary Hagel?'

Last week, Hagel said the swap was a unanimous decision when speaking to the BBC.

'It was the Secretary of Defense, Secretary of State, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Director of National Intelligence, Attorney General,' he said.

'It was our judgement based on the information that we had that his life, his health were in peril,' Hagel also told the channel in defense of not giving Congress 30 days' notice of the plan.

'Can you imagine if we would have waited or taken the chance of leaks over a 30-day period?' Hagel said.

Congress was upset to learn on Monday that 80 to 90 people in the Obama administration knew of the exchange - but that no Republicans or Democrats in the House were told.

'It strikes me as unfortunate that they could have 80 to 90 people in the administration aware of what was happening and not be able to trust a single Republican or Democrat in the House or the Senate,' Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR), said, Reuters points out.

''There was a sense of anger that members of Congress didn’t know about this,' Rep. Michelle Bachmann (R-MN) said to reporters after the briefing, ABC notes. 'Obviously, if there is secure information — members of Congress knew about the capture of Osama bin Laden — and yet 80 to 90 staff in the White House knew about this.'

Hagel is expected to defend the prisoner exchange on Wednesday in an appearance before the House Armed Services Committee.

**D2112** · 06-10-2014, 07:00 AM

theelusiveeightrop · 06-10-2014, 07:07 AM

The blame game begins.

blaise · 06-10-2014, 07:13 AM

Only applause for Obama, please.

Rooster · 06-10-2014, 07:53 AM

When is his term over again? How much more of this shit do we have to put up with?

HonestChieffan · 06-10-2014, 08:00 AM

Poor old Chuck. **** Chuck.

**petegz28** · 06-10-2014, 08:11 AM

Obama, A.K.A. President Finger-Pointer

**petegz28** · 06-10-2014, 08:12 AM

Quote:

'It was the president of the United States that came out (in the Rose Garden) with the Bergdahls and took all the credit and now that there’s been a little pushback he’s moving away from it and it’s Secretary Hagel?'

Classic Obama.....

**alpha_omega** · 06-10-2014, 08:32 AM

Shift blame to X
Shift blame to Y
Shift blame to Z

Trolly McTrollson · 06-10-2014, 08:34 AM

Can we trade Hagel to get Shinseki back?

blaise · 06-10-2014, 08:59 AM

The buck stops over there.

BigChiefTablet · 06-10-2014, 09:16 AM

The buck doesn't stop.

Taco John · 06-10-2014, 09:23 AM

Obama didn't even know about the prisoner swap until he saw it on the news with the rest of us.

**mlyonsd** · 06-10-2014, 10:03 AM

It'll be interesting to see if Hagel changes his story in front of the House committee.

jjjayb · 06-10-2014, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mlyonsd

It'll be interesting to see if Hagel changes his story in front of the House committee.

Funny, on June 1st Hegel said that he signed off on it, but Obama made the ultimate decision. Are we to believe that this decision didn't come from Obama?

06-10-2014, 06:58 AM
Cochise Legend Join Date: May 2003 Location: 60 Hz Casino cash: $409	White House shifts blame to Hagel for terrorist swap Now the White House says Hagel made final call on Bergdahl as criticism of Obama over prisoner swap mounts Congress learned on Monday that Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel gave final approval for the prisoner exchange that freed Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl Last week, Hagel said the swap was a unanimous decision made by senior officials *Hagel is expected to defend the prisoner exchange on Wednesday in an appearance before the House Armed Services Committee By ZOE SZATHMARY PUBLISHED: 01:05 EST, 10 June 2014 \| UPDATED: 01:05 EST, 10 June 2014 FInal approval for the prisoner exchange that freed Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl was made by Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, members of Congress learned on Monday from administration officials. 'They indicated (it was) Secretary Hagel (who made the final call),' Rep. Buck McKeon (R-CA) said after a classified briefing, ABC points out. 'It was the president of the United States that came out (in the Rose Garden) with the Bergdahls and took all the credit and now that there’s been a little pushback he’s moving away from it and it’s Secretary Hagel?' Last week, Hagel said the swap was a unanimous decision when speaking to the BBC. 'It was the Secretary of Defense, Secretary of State, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Director of National Intelligence, Attorney General,' he said. 'It was our judgement based on the information that we had that his life, his health were in peril,' Hagel also told the channel in defense of not giving Congress 30 days' notice of the plan. 'Can you imagine if we would have waited or taken the chance of leaks over a 30-day period?' Hagel said. Congress was upset to learn on Monday that 80 to 90 people in the Obama administration knew of the exchange - but that no Republicans or Democrats in the House were told. 'It strikes me as unfortunate that they could have 80 to 90 people in the administration aware of what was happening and not be able to trust a single Republican or Democrat in the House or the Senate,' Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR), said, Reuters points out. ''There was a sense of anger that members of Congress didn’t know about this,' Rep. Michelle Bachmann (R-MN) said to reporters after the briefing, ABC notes. 'Obviously, if there is secure information — members of Congress knew about the capture of Osama bin Laden — and yet 80 to 90 staff in the White House knew about this.' Hagel is expected to defend the prisoner exchange on Wednesday in an appearance before the House Armed Services Committee.
Posts: 52,822

06-10-2014, 07:07 AM	#3
theelusiveeightrop Spiraling down the Drain Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Dante's Ninth Circle Casino cash: $20693	The blame game begins. __________________ "We're both part of the same hypocrisy, Senator, but never think it applies to my family." 2016 Adopt a Chief - Travis Kelce #87
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06-10-2014, 07:13 AM	#4
blaise Gonzo = Sexy Bitch Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Plano, TX Casino cash: $4367	Only applause for Obama, please.
Posts: 22,054

06-10-2014, 07:53 AM	#5
Rooster Draft a QB Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Stilwell, KS Casino cash: $11789	When is his term over again? How much more of this shit do we have to put up with? __________________ When Reno Hightower was a prick he was the best damn quarterback in the history of Kern County.
Posts: 4,952

06-10-2014, 08:00 AM	#6
HonestChieffan Country Santa Year Around Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: In the Country in MO Casino cash: $34409	Poor old Chuck. ** Chuck. __________________ Frazod to KC Nitwit..."Hey, I saw a picture of some dumpy bitch with a horrible **tarded giant back tattoo and couldn't help but think of you." Simple, Pure, Perfect. 7/31/2013 Dave Lane: "I have donated more money to people in my life as an atheist that most churches ever will." Come home to Jesus Dave. Come home.
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06-10-2014, 08:32 AM	#9
alpha_omega Supporter Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Liberty Casino cash: $21451	Shift blame to X Shift blame to Y Shift blame to Z
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06-10-2014, 08:34 AM	#10
Trolly McTrollson Starter Join Date: Dec 2012 Casino cash: $0	Can we trade Hagel to get Shinseki back?
Posts: 318

06-10-2014, 08:59 AM	#11
blaise Gonzo = Sexy Bitch Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Plano, TX Casino cash: $4367	The buck stops over there.
Posts: 22,054

06-10-2014, 09:16 AM	#12
BigChiefTablet Veteran Join Date: Oct 2010 Casino cash: $19660	The buck doesn't stop.
Posts: 4,801

06-10-2014, 09:23 AM	#13
Taco John 12on Paul Join Date: Jun 2001 Casino cash: $18037	Obama didn't even know about the prisoner swap until he saw it on the news with the rest of us. __________________ Ehyeh asher ehyeh. "You and I are told we must choose between a left or right, but I suggest there is no such thing as a left or right. There is only an up or down. Up to man's age-old dream – the maximum of individual freedom consistent with order – or down to the ant heap of totalitarianism." -Ronald Reagan
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06-10-2014, 10:03 AM	#14
mlyonsd Supporter Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Spink, SD Casino cash: $23862	It'll be interesting to see if Hagel changes his story in front of the House committee.
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