Congressman's Bill Will Force Trial For Terrorist Masterminds In Military Court

Press Release

U.S. Representative Louie Gohmert (R-TX) introduced bill number H.R. 4127 that will prevent self-confessed September 11 mastermind Khalid Sheik Mohammed and co-conspirators from being tried in a New York City civilian court with the potential protections and rights of an American citizen. The bill would amend the Military Commissions Act of 2009 to make it mandatory that all foreign terrorists (which under amendments this year are now called "alien unprivileged enemy belligerents") stand trial in a constitutionally established military commission rather than a civilian court. Rep. Gohmert, a former judge and Ranking Member of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security, released the following statement:

"These self-confessed foreign terrorists helped in the planning and efforts to commit the worst assault against the United States in our country's history, and the Obama Administration wants to treat them as if they are American citizens. They do not even qualify for treatment as combatants under the Geneva Convention. Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and his co-conspirators do not deserve to be crowned with the rights of an American citizen on American soil. They are war criminals having admitted to international war crimes and having been captured on foreign battlefields. Their trial in a U.S. District Court would create devastating evidentiary complications, and pose an increased risk to the safety of our nation and citizens.

"Our Constitution offers a better answer in seeking justice. Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution provides Congress with the authority to establish Tribunals, and such military commissions provide the requisite due process protections and a fair trial. In fact, it is Congress, not the President or Supreme Court, that is given complete authority to establish all courts and their jurisdictions that are inferior to the Supreme Court under Article III, Sections 1 & 2. Therefore, there is simply no adequate reason to bring these terrorists onto American soil and into the heart of our country's most densely populated city that they mercilessly attacked. The legislation I am offering is completely constitutional while also more in keeping with our oath to protect this nation against all enemies, foreign and domestic. It is also a responsibility of the U.S. Congress to offer such a solution to counter the irresponsible judgment of this Administration to voluntarily and unnecessarily bring more fear and terror to New York City."

Though some officials from Illinois have cited potential new jobs in their area as a reason to bring terrorists stateside, Gohmert does not believe that justifies either the risk of further terrorism or the dangerous precedent of giving war criminals the rights of American citizens.

More than 40 of Congressman Gohmert's colleagues have already signed on to the bill as original cosponsors, with more expecting to join.

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