Altmire Urges White House to Try 9/11 Terrorists in Military Tribunals, Not Civilian Courts

March 5, 2010

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) -- U.S. Congressman Jason Altmire (PA-04) said today that he is encouraged by reports that White House officials are considering trying suspected 9/11 terrorist Khalid Shaikh Mohammed and his co-conspirators in military tribunals, as opposed to civilian courts. Altmire has long insisted that these terrorists and other Guantanamo Bay detainees should not be tried in civilian courts in western Pennsylvania or anywhere else in the United States.

“Under no circumstances should these suspected terrorists be tried in civilian courts anywhere in the United States,” Altmire said. “I am encouraged to see that the White House is reconsidering this misguided and potentially dangerous plan. I will continue pressing the White House to make the right decision and try these suspected terrorists in military tribunals.”

Altmire has a long history of voting to prohibit Guantanamo detainees from being brought to the United States for civilian trial. Each of the three times the House has voted on the issue, Altmire has voted against his party’s leadership by voting to block the detainees from being brought to the United States for civilian trial. Altmire has also voted 21 times to place additional restrictions on detainee transfer and release.

On February 1, Altmire sent a letter to President Obama stating that he will strongly oppose any attempt to try 9/11 terrorists in western Pennsylvania or anywhere else in the United States. You can read the letter here.

Altmire has also cosponsored two pieces of legislation that would stop civilian trails for Guantanamo detainees and 9/11 conspirators in the United States.

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