DeMaio and Veterans Blast Rep. Scott Peters for Supporting Release of Terrorists

Peters “Thanks” Obama Administration for Swapping 5 Terrorists and Votes to Transfer Detainees to Civilian Courts

 San Diego – Within the span of just one week, Rep. Scott Peters voted to transfer dangerous detainees from Guantanamo Bay and issued a statement congratulating the Obama Administration for its illegal move to release five known terrorists for Sgt. Bowe Berghdal.

“While we all share a commitment to bring our servicemembers home, Congressman Peters puts partisanship over principle when he refuses to join with Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein in calling out the Administration for negotiating with terrorists and breaking the law,” Carl DeMaio said.

Sgt. Bowe Berghdal was recently released from enemy captivity after being traded for five Taliban enemy combatants – several of whom Congressional leaders from both parties said on Sunday will likely return to the battlefield to fight with the Taliban. Peters’ position is so extreme that he is even at odds with Democratic Senator Sen. Dianne Feinstein – who has blasted the Obama Administration for potentially breaking the law with the deal by not first consulting the Congress.

“I want to thank the Administration for their continued commitment to returning Bowe home,” Peters proudly declared in a statement on May 30. Pressed by KUSI-TV in a June 3 interview to condemn the terrorist swap, Rep. Scott Peters refused to criticize the Obama Administration and continued to express support for the deal. Even when pressed on Feinstein’s criticisms, Peters said he was not consulted on the deal and again refused to criticize the Administration.

On May 30, Peters also voted in favor of moving enemy combatants who were previously being held in Guantanamo Bay to civilian courts to the dismay of San Diego veterans.

“By voting to close Gitmo and transfer its prisoners to civilian court, Congressman Peters has shown that he is willing to put our servicemembers and national security at risk in order to curry favor with the President,” said Michael Wood, a retired Army officer.

“Congressman Peters has shown a pattern of extreme positions that put our national security at risk. As a combat veteran that has put my own life on the line for our national security, I am outraged,” said Jacquelyn Atkinson, USMC.