Cheney slams deal for Bergdahl, says Obama negotiated with terrorists

NEW YORK, June 3 (UPI) -- Former Vice President Dick Cheney says the United States overpaid, both literally and politically, by releasing five highly-valued members of the Taliban in exchange for a man who may or may not be a deserter.

In an interview Monday with Fox News' Megyn Kelly, Cheney said he believes the deal for Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl likely strengthened the Taliban's military standing, something that could have dire consequences for America and its allies.

"I think there is a distinct possibility that these five will in fact go back into battle," Cheney said Monday night on Fox. "When you have people this highly motivated ... these are people who are most likely to go back and once again launch strikes or attacks against Americans and against allies in the region."

Cheney went on to say President Obama set a dangerous precedent by, what was in his view, negotiating with terrorists.

"I think if we analyze this situation very carefully, we violated a basic tenet, first of all for negotiating with terrorists but secondly in releasing five of the most deadly terrorists that we have in Guantánamo Bay," Cheney said.

"I think we'll pay another type of price because of this transaction right here."