The guest opinion by Dr. David Adler on June 11 was headlined as “Easy remedy exists for Obama’s illegal move.”

Adler confirms that Obama’s action on behalf of Sergeant Bergdahl is weak on constitutional grounds. He stipulates that Obama needed to inform Congress, which he didn’t. Obama says he didn’t have to.

Obama rationalized that the trade and transfer of five really bad guys for Bergdahl would protect American lives abroad. It is likely to have the opposite effect.

Adler says Obama exceeded his authority, but this can all be fixed and Obama absolved of this little constitutional infraction if only Congress exercised the “Doctrine of Retroactive Authorization.” In short, he wants Congress to retroactively sanction Obama’s illegal action. For Congress to do this, it would weaken its own constitutional prerogatives and authority.

Adler, a “renowned constitutional scholar” according to The Press, is making an argument to justify Obama’s action and protect his presidency. Are we more interested in protecting our constitution or legitimizing a president’s mistake?

Worst yet, Adler is suggesting Idaho’s congressional delegation should lead the charge to remove this shadow of illegality initiated and perpetrated by the president. The president is long on ignoring statutes and the constitution, so we can expect Congress to be very busy passing “Retroactive Authorizations” to correct his illegal moves.

Who is Dr. Adler? He is Director of the Andrus Center for Public Policy at Boise State University.

FRED EBEL

Post Falls