Independents Prefer Military Tribunals for 9/11 Terrorists
Three weeks have passed since Attorney General Eric Holder announced that suspected 9/11 terrorists will receive their day in open, criminal court in New York City, and public opinion has not been favorable. In four national surveys, Americans favor utilizing a military tribunal instead of civilian criminal court by margins of 12, 14, 23, and 30 points. Independent voters favor a military tribunal by a 2 to 1 ratio.
Since then, we have learned that the suspected 9/11 terrorists plan to use the trial as a way to “get their message out,” and that Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano was not consulted on the decision to move the trial venue to New York City. If more terrorists are captured on battlefield will they be given the same access to the U.S. judicial system?
There is no doubt Mr. Holder’s decision is unpopular, but it remains to be seen whether the decision will impact in any way the public's response to the increase in troops in Afghanistan now that they see the big picture of how the Administration will prosecute the war on terror.
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