U.S. Congressman John Boozman 3rd District of Arkansas

House Seal Outline

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Washington, Nov 13, 2009 -

U.S. Representative John Boozman (R-AR) today issued the following statement in response to the Obama administration’s decision to transfer terrorists including the self-confessed mastermind of the September 11th terrorist attacks to New York City for trial in a civilian court.

“Bringing these terrorists onto United States soil sets a very dangerous precedent. Relocating these detainees to American soil could jeopardize the safety and security of the communities in which they will be held by making them prime targets for terror strikes. It is also important to note that the evidence gathered against these terrorists was collected in a war zone under the presumption that they would be tried in a military tribunal, not in a civilian criminal court, and the President’s most recent actions could jeopardize the execution of justice. Putting these detainees or other alleged terrorists on trial in civilian courts could jeopardize sensitive intelligence information and information gathering processes that may undermine our efforts in the Global War on Terror. 

We need to continue the push for strict preventative measures that prohibit the transfer of detainees in the future by preventing the Obama Administration and the Justice Department from making unilateral decisions that affect the security of so many Americans in defiance of Congressional majorities merely for the sake of political cover.”

Boozman is a cosponsor of H.R. 2294, the Keep Terrorists Out of America Act. The legislation would stop the transfer or release of terrorists held at Guantanamo Bay prison into the United States. The legislation also requires governors and state legislators to pre-approve the transfer or releas