Good News For Morgan Carroll. Bad News For Colorado.
In news that is sure to be welcomed by Morgan Carroll, President Obama told reporters in Laos that he still hopes to close GITMO and transfer the remaining terrorists held there to facilities on U.S. soil. Obama’s announcement confirms Vice President Biden’s statement in Europe last month that the administration expects to close GITMO by January. Colorado is a top contender for the relocation of terrorist detainees.
Carroll has repeatedly called for the closure of GITMO, even if it means transferring terrorist detainees to Colorado. The prisoners remaining at GITMO include some of the world’s most dangerous terrorists, including 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, al-Qaeda bomb makers, and Osama bin Laden’s personal bodyguard.
NRCC Comment: “Instead of fighting to keep terrorists out of Colorado, Morgan Carroll has stood by the president’s reckless plan to close GITMO. Morgan Carroll’s support for actions that could bring some of the most dangerous terrorists in the world to Colorado makes the 6th District, our country, and the world less safe.” – NRCC Spokesman Zach Hunter
Obama Remains Hopeful of Closing Guantanamo Bay Before Term Ends
Bloomberg
Justin Sink
September 8, 2016
http://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2016-09-08/obama-remains-hopeful-of-closing-guantanamo-bay-before-term-ends
U.S. President Barack Obama said he remained hopeful of being able to close the military detention center at Guantanamo Bay before he leaves office in January.
“I am not ready to concede that it may still remain open because we’re still working diligently to continue to shrink the population,” Obama said Thursday at a briefing following a summit with Southeast Asian leaders in Vientiane, Laos. “It’s not necessary and it’s hugely expensive for taxpayers.”
While the president vowed before he took office to close the prison he’s been stymied by members of Congress who have placed restrictions in defense spending bills on the government’s ability to close the facility.
Obama acknowledged there was “absolutely” strong opposition from Congress. Still, he added “I expect to work really hard over the next four months — five months — four and a half months.”
The prison currently holds 61 terrorism suspects after the Pentagon announced last month it was transferring 15 detainees to the United Arab Emirates. The U.S. is seeking partners to accept 20 more detainees who have already been approved for transfer.
Read the full piece here.