More Reaction To The "Criminal" 9/11 Trial In NYC (UPDATED)

A stand up guy - Senator Jim Webb:

"Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.) is not pleased with the Obama administration's decision to try the mastermind of the 9/11 attacks in civilian courts.

Though acknowleding the president has the constitutional authority to use federal courts to try terrorists, Webb said he'd prefer military commissions.

"Those who have committed acts of international terrorism are enemy combatants, just as certainly as the Japanese pilots who killed thousands of Americans at Pearl Harbor," he said in a statement. "It will be disruptive, costly, and potentially counterproductive to try them as criminals in our civilian courts."

Not to mention unnecessarily dangerous.  Thank you, Senator Webb.  I hope that you are not the only adult in the room.

Here's The Hill on Rep. Pete King's (R- LI) reaction:

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," King 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."

On O'Reilly a few minutes ago, Rep. King said that this decision will rank as one of the worst ever made by an American President.

UPDATE: Sorry, Rep. King did not say "one of the worst decisions" - He said the worst.

Amen to that, Rep. King.  Thank you.

Senator McCain reacts here:

"Sen. John McCain hammered the Obama administration Friday for its decision to try accused 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheik Mohammed and fourother suspected terrorists in a civilian court in New York.

McCain said in a statement that he is "extremely disappointed" by the decision and argued that the suspects"should be treated as war criminals and tried for their crimes through military tribunals."


Now, read and consider signing the letter to President Obama posted on thebravest.com.

Exit Question: Where is Obama as this unfolds on a Friday night? He scooted off to Japan to let AG Holder make the announcement.

That's a cowardly move.  But not a surprising one.