Graham staying silent on 9/11 trial announcement until meeting with president

A Senate Republican who once led the charge to prevent the Justice Department from trying 9/11 terror suspects in civilian courts said Friday the White House had asked him to reserve comment until he could sit down with the president.

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) was the architect behind a Senate amendment, debated last week, that would have required the federal government to prosecute Khalid Shiekh Mohammed and four other conspirators before a military commission.

Although Graham had at least the symbolic support of more than 140 families of 9/11 victims, who urged Senate lawmakers in a letter to approve it, his effort was ultimately tabled.

But most unexpectedly, Graham on Friday declined to say a single thing about Attorney General Eric Holder's announcement that the five suspects would be brought before a jury in Manhattan, not a panel of military members.

Although the senator referenced his previous floor remarks in opposition of the idea, Graham said he would "honor" the president's request that he withhold comments on the matter until the two could discuss it personally.

“The decision on the proper venue to try Guantanamo detainees, particularly the 9/11 conspirators, is one of the most important decisions we will ever make in the War on Terror," Graham said.

"I have had and continue to have very strong feelings on this subject," he added. "Those feelings are well-known as evidenced by our debate on the floor of the Senate last week. "

Whether that means Graham could revive his effort to force those suspects to be tried before military commissions is unclear. What is known, however, is that he would most certainly have some votes if he decided to re-introduce his amendment in some capacity.

“The terrorists who planned, participated in, and aided the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks are war criminals, not common criminals," said Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.), one of many lawmakers this afternoon to sound off against the administration's decision.

"The individuals accused of committing these heinous, cowardly acts of intentionally targeting unsuspecting, defenseless civilians should therefore be tried by military commission rather than in civilian courts in the United States,” he added.

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