Trump signs executive order to keep Guantánamo Bay facilities open
Jan 30, 2018, 8:17 PM
In this June 27, 2006 file photo, reviewed by a U.S. Department of Defense official, U.S. military guards walk within Camp Delta military-run prison, at the Guantanamo Bay U.S. Naval Base, Cuba. (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley, File)
(AP Photo/Brennan Linsley, File)
PHOENIX — During his State of the Union address on Tuesday, President Donald Trump announced that he had signed an executive order to keep Guantánamo Bay open.
“Terrorists who do things like place bombs in civilian hospitals are evil. When possible, we annihilate them. When necessary, we must be able to detain and question them,” Trump said.
“But we must be clear: Terrorists are not merely criminals. They are unlawful enemy combatants. And when captured overseas, they should be treated like the terrorists they are.”
Trump said he made the decision to keep the facility open due to actions made by past administrations.
“In the past, we have foolishly released hundreds of dangerous terrorists, only to meet them again on the battlefield — including the ISIS leader, al-Baghdadi,” he said.
“So today, I am keeping another promise. I just signed an order directing Secretary Mattis to reexamine our military detention policy and to keep open the detention facilities at Guantánamo Bay.”
Trump said he also asked Congress to ensure that law enforcement officials will have the power to detain terrorists in the fight against ISIS and al-Qaida.
