White House advisers are considering recommending alleged 9/11 mastermind Khalid Shaikh Mohammed be tried in a military court, not a civilian one in New York, a senior administration official confirmed Friday.
This would be an about face for the Obama administration which has consistently insisted trying Mohammed in civilian court would be a powerful symbol of U.S. rule of law.
In November 2009 Attorney General Eric Holder announced his intention to do just that. But a firestorm of criticism erupted from New York officials who did not want the trial held in Manhattan, and from Republican lawmakers who did not want a civilian trial.
If the president accepts this recommendation, his administration would be reversing itself on two fronts, the location of the trial and the type of trial.
“We are evaluating based on New York City logistical and security concerns on trial in federal courts,” White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said Friday.
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Article courtesy cnn.com
