Rep. Tom Cotton (R., Ark.) said Wednesday he found it "offensive and insulting" that the White House would try to justify the trade for Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl with the credo of "Leave no man behind."
Cotton, who's running for the U.S. Senate against incumbent Sen. Mark Pryor (D., Ark.) and is an Army veteran, referenced 2nd Lt. Darryn Andrews, who died looking for Bergdahl, during a hearing on the trade of five Taliban commanders for Bergdahl.
"Every day in Ranger School, we recited the Ranger Creed that I will never leave a fallen comrade," Cotton said. "You know who didn't leave a fallen comrade? Cody Full. Darryn Andrews. Or all the soldiers who went after him in the weeks and months after his disappearance, knowing that he had deserted. When we made those promises to each other, we didn't promise that we would exchange five stone-cold Taliban killers for each other, nor would any soldier want that to happen."
Cotton also had strong words for administration members who anonymously disparaged Bergdahl's comrades accusing him of deserting the unit.
"Finally, I want to say something to the anonymous sources in the president's administration who are disparaging the service of Second Platoon and Blackfoot Company," Cotton said. "Show yourself, speaking your own name, have the courage of your convictions. If you don't, shut up, stand back, and thank these men for their service."
Cotton pushed down his microphone after concluding his remarks.
Full statement:
TOM COTTON: Five years ago today, I was a captain in the United States Army in Laghman Province, so I think I will take the prerogative to speak on behalf of the soldiers who served in Afghanistan. I find it offensive and insulting that this administration, up to and including the president, would cite the principle of leaving no man behind to justify this action. Every day in Ranger School, we recited the Ranger Creed that I will never leave a fallen comrade. You know who didn't leave a fallen comrade? Cody Full. Darryn Andrews. Or all the soldiers who went after him in the weeks and months after his disappearance, knowing that he had deserted. When we made those promises to each other, we didn't promise that we would exchange five stone-cold Taliban killers for each other, nor would any soldier want that to happen. Would we exchange Khalid Sheikh Mohammed? Deputy National Security Advisor Tony Blinken said directly to me that we would not. Finally, I want to say something to the anonymous sources in the president's administration who are disparaging the service of Second Platoon and Blackfoot Company. Show yourself, speaking your own name, have the courage of your convictions. If you don't, shut up, stand back, and thank these men for their service.