How to Prosecute a Terrorist

The Takeaway

The Obama administration made a bold decision in November 2009 that divided the country, which was still scarred by the events of September 11, 2001. Attorney General Eric Holder announced the self-proclaimed mastermind of 9/11, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, and four other detainees allegedly tied to the attacks, would be tried in a civilian court in New York City, just blocks away from where the Twin Towers stood. After battling Congress for over a year, Holder reversed his decision and announced yesterday those same men will now be tried before a military commission at the Guantanamo Bay detention center. Vijay Padmanabhan, visiting professor at Cardoza School of Law, believes Congress has behaved in a manner that is inconsistent, by restricting power of the Executive Branch.  

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