The ACLU issued a statement today in response to the Obama Administration’s likely decision to try 9/11 detainees in military tribunals. Read the full statement here:
If this stunning reversal comes to pass, President Obama will deal a death blow to his own Justice Department, not to mention American values.
If the president flip-flops and retreats to the Bush military commissions, he will betray his campaign promise to restore the rule of law, demonstrate that his principles are up for grabs and lose all credibility with Americans who care about justice and the rule of law.
Even with recent improvements, the military commissions system is incapable of handling complicated terrorism cases and achieving reliable results. President Obama must not cave in to political pressure and fear-mongering. He should hold firm and keep these prosecutions in federal court, where they belong.
