Trump Vows to Keep Guantanamo Open at State of the Union

Washington, D.C.—In response to President Trump’s State of the Union announcement that he signed an executive order to keep open the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay open, retired Major General Michael Lehnert, first commanding officer of Guantanamo Bay, issued the following statement:

“Guantanamo’s continued existence is a propaganda boon for our enemies and a major distraction for our allies. Far from serving our national interest, Guantanamo undermines it. There’s simply no need for an offshore detention facility that operates in legal grey zones.  Our federal courts have proven more than capable of handling even the most complex international terrorism cases. To safeguard our security and bolster our global influence, Guantanamo should be closed as soon as possible.”

Resources

Fact Sheet: Guantanamo by the Numbers 
Fact Sheet: Facts About the Transfer of Guantanamo Detainees
Fact Sheet: The Flawed Guantanamo Assessment Files 
Fact Sheet: Former Top U.S. Officials Who Support Closing Guantanamo 
General Lehnert Statement for the Record
Issue Brief: Detaining and Prosecuting Terrorism Suspects