He can only be pardoned....if he’s charged and the court finds him guilty. Having seen military justice and its speed...there’s no way a court episode will occur in 2014 unless he admits guilt and does a plea deal. So I think it’s a spring 2015 episode. This means Bergdahl remains in uniform and will be under some form of house arrest (because of his walking habits).
As for the pardon odds? It really draws negative attention to the administration and will infuriate the vet crowd (who might be equally divided as Republicans and Democrats). News media trying to turn it all into a non-event? They might try but it’s already viewed from overseas and there’s some negativity weighing heavily on this wrapping up quickly. Maybe Bergdahl signs a guilty plea to do twelve months in a prison, and the Army gives him a bad conduct discharge at the end.
Then how was former President Nixon pardoned by President Ford without being charged or a trial?
Remember, Ford pardoned Nixon before Nixon was even charged with anything. So I guess preemptive pardons are possible.
You can’t be pardoned from yourself, he knows what he did and it will never go away. I was in the A Shau 1970 to 1971 and Lord knows I would have liked to walk away but it’s just something you don’t do, there was only two Honorable ways out.
It really draws negative attention to the administration and will infuriate the vet crowd “”””
There isn’t a military member anywhere in the entire world who doesn’t know what the words DESERTER or DEFECTOR mean. NOT ONE.