This week – the nation will mark the 10th anniversary of our so-called terrorist prison in Guantanamo Bay. The facility has been a black eye for the United States since it opened – indefinitely detaining suspected terrorists without trial and with little evidence. President Obama campaigned on closing Gitmo – but has been unable to do so in his three years in office thanks to massive resistance on Capitol Hill. But according to Press Secretary John Carney – closing Gitmo still remains one of President Obama’s top priorities. Let’s hope it happens soon.
Comments
Why can't the President close Gitmo on his own? Is an act of Congress needed? If Gitmo is being run by the Defense Department, I would imagine that the President can close it by himself. It's not like he's shutting down an Article III court.
I think the preasure is political, not legal. Obama could shut down our torture chamber but only when American people demand it. As we speak, fear still rules the torture/terrorism debate and is a major factor for conservatives, who support more draconian tactics.