Let’s keep terrorists out of America

By By Rep. Robert Aderholt, Guest Columnist
Recently, the President Obama Administration announced that five accused Sept. 11 conspirators currently held at the U.S. military base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, will be transferred to federal court in Manhattan to face trial, just blocks from the site of the former World Trade Center.
This decision, announced by the President’s Attorney General, Eric Holder, was met with sharp criticism by some groups and leaders and with praise by others.
Personally, it is troubling that the Administration has decided to bring Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the mastermind of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and several other Guantanamo Bay detainees to U.S. soil to be tried in a civilian court.
I share the concerns expressed by many Americans and some of my colleagues in Congress that this decision could unnecessarily endanger U.S. citizens, who will be a part of this process. There are many risks that should be considered with a trial of this magnitude, including the possible problems of classified information being released. Therefore, I join many of my colleagues in urging the President to reconsider this decision.
It seems that the best course of action would be for these terrorists to be prosecuted by military tribunals at Guant