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Judge Questions Effect of Trump Comments on Bowe Bergdahl Case

Defense lawyers played video in which Trump called Bergdahl, who was held captive by the Taliban and its allies for five years, a 'no-good traitor.'
IMAGE: Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl
Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl arrives for a pretrial hearing at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, in in January 2016.Ted Richardson / AP

A military judge called President Donald Trump's scathing campaign-trail criticism of Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl "disturbing" on Monday and questioned whether it would make the public think the soldier can't get a fair trial for walking off his post in Afghanistan in 2009.

During a pretrial hearing at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, defense attorneys played part of a video exhibit in which Trump repeatedly says at campaign appearances that Bergdahl is a "traitor" who should be harshly punished. Bergdahl's lawyers argue that the comments violate their client's due-process rights and that the case should be dismissed.

The judge, Army Col. Jeffery Nance, didn't immediately rule on the defense request, but he called the video "disturbing material." A written decision was expected later.

Defense lawyers played about five minutes of video in which Trump repeatedly used phrases like "no-good traitor" to refer to Bergdahl, who was held captive by the Taliban and its allies for five years.

Bergdahl mostly sat still during the video presentation, looking away at times. By the end of the presentation, the muscles in Bergdahl's jaw were visibly bulging as he apparently clenched his teeth.

Bergdahl is charged with desertion and misbehavior before the enemy, the latter of which carries a maximum penalty of life in prison. He has been assigned to desk duty at a Texas Army base while awaiting trial.

Bergdahl, who is from Idaho, has said he walked off his post to cause alarm and draw attention to what he saw as problems with his unit.

Related: Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl Explains His Reasoning in Newly Released Documents

Prosecutors say Trump's comments amounted to campaign rhetoric against actions taken by the Obama administration to bring Bergdahl home.

IMAGE: Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl
Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl arrives for a pretrial hearing at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, in in January 2016.Ted Richardson / AP

"These comments are clearly intended to try to attack a political opponent for political gain," said Army Maj. Justin Oshana, a prosecutor.

The Obama administration's decision in May 2014 to exchange Bergdahl for five Taliban prisoners prompted some Republicans to accuse Obama of jeopardizing the nation's safety.

The defense's motion, filed shortly after Trump was sworn in as president, cites more than 40 instances of Trump's criticism at public appearances and media interviews through August 2016.

Eugene Fidell, Bergdahl's defense attorney, argued Monday that Trump has kept other campaign promises, so his comments about Bergdahl should be taken seriously.

The defense team played a clip of Trump's promising his audience at a December 2015 campaign rally to review the case if Bergdahl got a light punishment.

A White House spokesman didn't immediately respond to a phone call and email seeking comment Monday.