Press Release/Statement

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-CA), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, wrote to President Bush calling for the immediate prosecution of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the alleged mastermind of the 9/11 terrorist attacks against the United States.

    "Now that the President has signed the Military Commissions Act into law, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed must be prosecuted for his involvement in the 9/11 terrorist attacks," said Congressman Hunter.  "Some have recommended Khalid Sheikh Mohammed be prosecuted after lesser, but equally dangerous terrorists are prosecuted, presumably so the new tribunal system can be tested.  I strongly disagree with this approach.

    "The Military Commissions Act was created by legal professionals in the Administration, House and Senate, and provides a structurally solid prosecutorial system.  It is time Khalid Sheikh Mohammed is brought to justice."

    The Military Commissions Act, which establishes a commissions process to effectively prosecute enemy combatants and suspected terrorists in the ongoing War on Terror, was signed into law by President Bush today.  The legislation previously passed the House by a vote of 253-168.

    Congressman Hunter's letter to the President follows:

October 17, 2006

President George W. Bush

Dear Mr. President:

Now that the conference report to the Military Commissions Act has become law, let's use it.  Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the terrorist who is alleged to have designed the attack against New York on September 11, 2001 is currently in U.S. custody at the U.S. Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay.

It is my understanding that some have recommended lesser terrorists be prosecuted before Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, ostensibly for purposes of testing the new tribunal structure.  I disagree with this approach.

The new law was created with the expertise of the best legal professionals in the Administration, House and Senate.  I am confident that the law undergirding this new prosecutorial system is solid.

Family members of the 9/11 victims, America's citizens and the people of the civilized world await and fully expect the prosecution of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed.  Let's do it.

Sincerely,

Duncan Hunter, M.C.