Hillary Rodham Clinton defends prisoner swap

BROOMFIELD, Colo. (AP) — Hillary Rodham Clinton says she won’t second guess the Obama administration’s decision to swap five prisoners from Guantanamo Bay for a U.S. soldier held by the Taliban, but she notes that America’s allies often make such deals.

The former secretary of state and potential presidential candidate made the statements at an event in a Denver suburb Monday night.

Clinton was asked whether she would make such a trade if she were in office. Clinton said she couldn’t answer directly but that it is a “noble” tradition that the United States tries not to leave soldiers on the battlefield. She also noted worries that Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl may not survive much longer after five years in captivity.

Republicans have criticized the deal as capitulating to terrorists.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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