Tiahrt Statement on Obama's Plan to Try 9/11 Mastermind in NYC

WASHINGTON—U.S. Congressman Todd Tiahrt (R-Goddard) issued the following statement regarding the decision by the Obama administration to bring five terrorists, including Khalid Sheikh Mohammed (the alleged mastermind behind the September 11th attacks), from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to the United States to be tried in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. Tiahrt has offered multiple amendments and legislation to prevent the administration from transferring such terrorists to U.S. soil. Every attempt by Tiahrt and Republicans has been blocked by Speaker Pelosi and her leadership team.

"As I have said since day one of the Obama administration´s announcement to close Guantanamo Bay — under no circumstance should hardened terrorists be transferred to the United States or prosecuted in the U.S. court system. The Obama administration is making a terrible mistake and setting a dangerous precedent. Even more callous is the plan to bring these unrepentant terrorists to New York City where thousands of people lost family members, friends and neighbors in the September 11th terrorist´s attacks.

"The United States federal civilian court system is not designed to handle the evidence and logistics for the effective prosecution of these terrorists. This action serves no purpose but to appease the ACLU and other liberal extremist groups. By erroneously viewing terrorism as a law enforcement issue versus a national security one, the Obama administration is unnecessarily placing the prosecution of the terrorists and New York City at risk. These terrorists should instead be tried by a Military Commission where all the evidence can be viewed and the American people can be protected.

"I will continue to fight with vehement opposition the careless plans of the Obama administration and Democrats who want these terrorists detainees moved to America to be tried in our courts."