Pete King says court decision puts U.S. at greater risk of attack

The decision to move terrorists to the U.S. for trial puts the country at greater risk for attack, the top Republican on the House Homeland Security Committee said Friday.

Rep. Pete King (N.Y.), the only Republican member of New York City's congressional delegation, condemned the Obama administration's decision to move terrorist suspects to Manhattan for trial.

"I am outraged by the Obama Administration’s decision to move Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, one of the most dangerous terrorists in the world, to American soil to be tried," King said in a statement Friday.

"This decision is not only misguided but extremely dangerous. Detaining and trying these five terrorists only a few blocks from the World Trade Center site where, by Khalid Sheikh Mohammed’s design, thousands were brutally murdered puts our Nation—and New York City—at greater risk," K(ng added.

King suggested that the decision was a result of "confusion" since President Barack Obama decided to close the detention facility in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, arguing that the announcement of the move was "rushed."

The New York Republican demanded answers of Obama in terms of his plans for future prosecutions of terror suspects, as well as how the administration would guarantee the safety of the U.S. and New Yorkers during the trial.
 
"Unfortunately, Congress and the American people were never allowed a role in this debate," King said. "Now the President has decided to bring some of the worst terrorists at Guantanamo Bay to New York City, without notifying Congress or the American people. This is an upsetting pattern for an Administration that promised an unprecedented level of transparency."

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