The Bowe Bergdahl debacle — trading five senior Taliban commanders for one American prisoner now charged with desertion — has its roots in President Obama’s determination to close the terrorist prison at Guantanamo Bay. If the president’s past is any guide, there will be more Gitmo-related fiascos in the future.

Obama has exhibited an unmistakable pattern of behavior in recent years: When Congress fails to do what he wants, he does it himself, or threatens to.