Pentagon insists no decision reached on Bergdahl case, despite desertion charge claim

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Rear Adm. John Kirby on latest in Bowe Bergdahl case

Pentagon spokesperson speaks out

The Pentagon insisted Wednesday that no decision has been made in the case of Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, even as a former military intelligence officer stood by his claim that the Army is charging him with desertion.

Bergdahl was released by Taliban-aligned militants last year in exchange for five Guantanamo prisoners.

Pentagon spokesman Rear Adm. John Kirby said Wednesday that Bergdahl's case is still being reviewed and no charges have been filed.

"We're responsible institutions, and we pride ourselves on good leadership, and good leadership in this case means taking our time and doing this right," Kirby told Fox News.

Asked whether there was political pressure to delay the charges, he said, "that is the most ludicrous claim I've heard in the last few days."

But that's what retired Lt. Col. Tony Shaffer claims, after first alleging Monday night that desertion charges were being filed. After the Army and Pentagon strongly denied the claims Tuesday, Shaffer told Fox News' "The O'Reilly Factor" on Tuesday night that the White House is simply delaying the announcement.

Shaffer, who works at the London Center for Policy Research, said he believes the alleged White House involvement is politically motivated. Further, he said he stands by "all of those facts," referring to his report on Monday that Bergdahl's lawyer has been given a statement of charges.

Shaffer said Monday that, "As a corporate entity, the Army has decided that they want to pursue Bergdahl for this violation."

Shaffer said there's a "huge battle" going on inside the Obama administration, as some try to "suppress" this development. "This is shaping up to be a titanic struggle behind the scenes," he said.

Maj. Gen. Ronald F. Lewis, the Army's chief of public affairs, put out a statement Tuesday afternoon calling the reports, including a similar one by NBC News, "patently false."

"To be clear there have been no actions or decisions on the Sgt. Bergdahl investigation," he said. "The investigation is still with the commanding general of U.S. Army Forces Command who will determine appropriate action -- which ranges from no further action to convening a court martial."

Eugene Fidell, Bergdahl's lawyer, did not comment when reached by Fox News earlier Tuesday.

Bergdahl was held for five years before his release was secured in 2014.

But while the president joined with Bergdahl's parents in the Rose Garden at the time in celebrating his return home, the prisoner swap swiftly became a matter of severe controversy. Fellow soldiers accused Bergdahl of deserting his post on a base in Afghanistan in 2009. And the trade itself, of his freedom for five Guantanamo prisoners, drew criticism in Congress from lawmakers who said it sent a troubling signal.