Dent Statement on Administration's Decision to Try Terror Suspects at Guantanamo Bay

Statement

U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent (PA-15), a member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, issued the following statement on the Obama Administration's decision to try terror suspects, including Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, before military commissions at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba:

"Monday's much belated announcement by Attorney General Eric Holder that terror suspects, including the 9/11 conspirators, will face military commissions at Guantanamo was welcomed. The decision comes nearly two years after the American people decisively rejected the Obama Administration's unexpected and illogical proposal to try these dangerous individuals in civilian criminal courts.

"I have repeatedly expressed my opposition to the Administration's startling assertion that terror suspects deserved trials in civilian courts, despite their status as enemy belligerents, since 2009. Following the near-miss conviction of Ahmed Khalfan Ghailani in a November 2010 civilian trial, I again called on President Obama and Attorney General Holder to abandon their hasty efforts to bring accused terrorists to trial in federal courts.

"While I am dismayed it took the Administration nearly two years to reach the same conclusion most Americans reached immediately, I welcome this reversal and the decision to try Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and his co-conspirators at Guantanamo."

Source