So, it turns out that the Obama administration was legally required to at least notify Congress before it actually traded Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl for five Taliban terrorist commanders*:
Lawmakers were not notified of the Guantanamo detainees’ transfer until after it occurred.
The law requires the defense secretary to notify relevant congressional committees at least 30 days before making any transfers of prisoners, to explain the reason and to provide assurances that those released would not be in a position to reengage in activities that could threaten the United States or its interests.
And remember all that nonsense that the Democrats used to spout off about how awful signing statements were? Yeah, you already knew that it was nonsense: but watch, and marvel, as the Left continues to studiously ignore their past rhetoric on the subject. Because that all was apparently just pillow talk, baby:
A senior administration official, agreeing to speak on the condition of anonymity to explain the timing of the congressional notification, acknowledged that the law was not followed. When he signed the law last year, Obama issued a signing statement contending that the notification requirement was an unconstitutional infringement on his powers as commander in chief and that he therefore could override it.
Read more at Red StatePrevious blog on the Bergdahl / Taliban swap.
Barack Obama Frees Top Taliban Commanders in Trade for Army Deserter
My blog on Obama and signing statements
Obama Uses A Signing Statement to Ignore Another Bill Passed by Congress
