That might be true in general, but it ruins the author's otherwise powerful argument. The White House made the trade because they value Obama's image more than honorable service.
This deal was not done to reward some traitor. Nope, that was just a side effect. This deal was done for two reasons only. One, to get the VA scandal out of the news. And two, to boost Obama's poll numbers.
To argue argue otherwise is too go a bridge too far.
The real purpose was to release the Tollybon Five. 0bama has been pushing for this trade for years.
This deal was done as Al Qaeda’s gift to Obama, who was going to let the Gitmo prisoners go free anyway - with or without getting anything in return (supposedly) for America. This was a fig leaf for Obama. The thank-you robe that was made for Bergdahl to wear during his release video... that was a thank-you to OBAMA every bit as much as a thank-you to Bergdahl for being their toy for a while. Al Qaeda’s gift to Obama was the chance to use Bergdahl’s release to get the VA scandal off the front page. But Obama would have done this Gitmo prisoner release even if Al Qaeda hadn’t offered this fig leaf for him.