In 2013, W.H. Promised To Consult Congress as Part of Any Bergdahl-Detainee Deal

Jay Carney, 2013: No Decisions About Bergdahl-Detainee Deal 'Without Consulting With Congress' (The Weekly Standard)

Among the questions being raised about this weekend's exchange of  Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl for five top Taliban commanders held at Guantanamo is why Congress was not informed of the move ahead of time. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said on Meet the Press on Sunday that concerns over the health and perhaps even the survival of Bergdahl required secrecy, telling reporters, "We couldn't afford any leaks anywhere" because the deal was "essentially an operation to save the life of Sgt. Bergdahl."

But just under a year ago, in June 2013, White House press secretary Jay Carney was unequivocal in his response to a reporter's questions about this very deal, saying, "[W]e would not make any decisions about transfer of any detainees without consulting with Congress and without doing so in accordance with U.S. law."