Former US Soldier's Desertion Conviction Vacated by Judge

A federal judge has vacated the military conviction of former U.S. Army soldier Bowe Bergdahl, who pleaded guilty to desertion after leaving his post in Afghanistan and being captured and tortured by the Taliban. The judge ruled that the military judge overseeing the court-martial failed to disclose a potential conflict of interest, as he had applied for a job as an immigration judge. Former President Donald Trump's strong criticism of Bergdahl during the 2016 campaign was also cited as a factor. Bergdahl's lawyers argued that Trump's comments influenced the case.