New details have emerged of freed U.S. soldier Bowe Bergdahl’s time in Taliban captivity. Bergdahl has told military doctors he was beaten, tortured and locked in a metal cage for weeks and possibly months at a time as punishment for trying to escape. He is reportedly now in good enough physical condition to fly home to the United States, but will remain at an American military hospital in Germany until mentally ready. The Obama administration faces continued Republican criticism for winning Bergdahl’s freedom in return for five Taliban prisoners held at Guantánamo Bay. Speaking to CNN, Republican Senator John McCain claimed Obama has released “hardcore military jihadists who are responsible for 9/11.” Speaking to CNN, Secretary of State John Kerry defended the prisoner exchange.

Secretary of State John Kerry: “It would have been offensive and incomprehensible to consciously leave an American behind, no matter what, to leave an American behind in the hands of people who would torture him, cut off his head, do any number of things. And we would consciously choose to do that? That’s the other side of this equation. I don’t think anybody would think that is the appropriate thing to do.”