Time and again, offhand remarks from Trump’s campaign and presidency are being used by lawyers in defense of people like Bowe Bergdahl.

Obama has granted fewer pardons than any president since John Adams.

The lawyers want an officer who has not had previous involvement in Bergdahl's case to make a fresh decision on disposition.

There are robust psychological explanations for the strength of the near-involuntary reactions to any mention of Bergdahl and his actions.