WVIT NBC Hartford covered Rob Simmons criticism of Senator Dodd's support for the decision to try 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheik Muhammad on American soil, opening the door to a trial in Connecticut.
Statement on McMahon's Hedge Regarding the Trial of 9/11 Mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammad on American Soil.
 Rob Simmons Photo by Kate Mercer | Jim Barnett, campaign manager for Simmons for Senate, made the following statement today reacting to news reports that Linda McMahon "hedged her bets" by refusing to state an opinion on the recent decision to grant a civilian trial to self-described mastermind of the September 11, 2001 attacks, Khalid Sheik Muhammad, stating instead that she will "probably have more firm policy statements after the first of the year": "The decision to bring the 9/11 masterminds to America, and possibly to Connecticut, and bless them with all the constitutional rights reserved for Americans is a travesty of justice, |
"It is deeply disappointing that when given the opportunity to stand firm against Sen. Dodd's dangerous and misguided approach, Mrs. McMahon took a pass. It goes to show that slick campaign ads and an army of high-priced consultants can't buy the experience and judgment necessary to keep our nation safe."
FACTS
Senator Dodd Voted Against Barring Civilian Trials On U.S. Soil For Those Involved In The September 11, 2001 Terrorist Attacks. "Reed, D-R.I., motion to table (kill) the Graham, R-S.C., amendment no. 2669 that would bar the use of Justice Department funds under the bill to prosecute in a regular federal court anyone linked to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks." (H. R. 2847, CQ Vote #: 338: D: 53-4; R 0-40; I 1-1; Motion Agreed To 54-45, Dodd Voted Yea, 11/5/09)
NOTE: All 40 Senate Republicans Unanimously Opposed The Amendment. (H. R. 2847, CQ Vote #: 338: D: 53-4; R 0-40; I 1-1; Motion Agreed To 54-45, 11/5/09)
10 Days Ago, Attorney General Eric Holder Announced Khalid Sheik Mohammad Would Be Transferred To New York City For A Jury Trial. "Five Guantanamo Bay detainees with alleged ties to the 9/11 conspiracy, including accused mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, will be transferred to New York to go on trial in civilian court, Attorney General Eric Holder announced Friday." ("Accused 9/11 Plotter Khalid Sheikh Mohammed Faces New York Trial," www.cnn.com, 11/13/09)
That Day, Rob Simmons Criticized The Decision And Senator Dodd's Vote. "As a lifelong national security and intelligence official, I am shocked and angered by this stunning announcement. To have the self-described mastermind of the worst attack on American soil receive a jury trial footsteps away from where he murdered thousands of American citizens is beyond the pale. ... Worst of all is Senator Dodd, who demonstrated his reckless desire to appease the left-wing of his party rather than protect American citizens by voting against an amendment that would have barred such a trial." (Simmons For Senate, "Simmons Statement On Announcement Of Civilian Trial For 9/11 Mastermind Khalid Sheik Mohammed," Press Release, 11/13/09)
Attorney General Holder Admitted The Trial Of Khalid Sheik Mohammad Could Face A Change In Venue To Connecticut. SEN. JOHN CORNYN (R-TX): "But isn't it the fact that you won't be the one making that decision ultimately, if the attempt to transfer venue based on the notoriety of this event on 9/11 is such, just like Timothy McVeigh, who killed so many Americans in Oklahoma, he was tried in Colorado. Isn't it a distinct possibility that the judge would transfer this case based on a local prejudice?" ATTORNEY GENERAL ERIC HOLDER: "Sure, that's entirely possible. And there may be a motion for a venue change, but just as in the McVeigh case, the new change did not have a material negative impact on the outcome of the trial. He was convicted, and he was executed." (Attorney General Eric Holder, Hearing, Senate Judiciary Committee, 11/18/09)
But On Saturday, When Asked Her Opinion On Bringing Khalid Sheik Mohammad To American Soil For A Civilian Trial, McMahon "Hedged," Stating: "I'll Probably Have More Firm Policy Statements After The First Of The Year." "[Judy] Hershon stopped McMahon to ask her opinion on the upcoming New York City terrorism trial. Republicans have blasted the Obama administration for deciding to try alleged 9/11 mastermind Khalid Shaikh Mohammed in federal court in New York City rather than in a military court abroad. Democrats like Dodd have largely supported the decision. One of Dodd's leading Republican challengers, Rob Simmons, blasted him for that position. 'I'm trying to do a poll of any politician I can find on this, since I'm from New York, where the trial's going to actually take place,' she said. McMahon hedged her bets on the issue. While New York 'has certainly tried other terrorists before,' she noted, this trial will cost New York $75 million. 'I'll probably have more firm policy statements after the first of the year,' she said." (Ben Johnson, "Dodd Challenger Crashes The Tailgates," New Haven Independent, 11/23/09)
The Terrorists Plan To Use The Trial As A Platform To "Air Their Criticisms Of U.S. Foreign Policy." "The five men facing trial in the Sept. 11 attacks will plead not guilty so that they can air their criticisms of U.S. foreign policy, the lawyer for one of the defendants said Sunday. Scott Fenstermaker, the lawyer for accused terrorist Ali Abd al-Aziz Ali, said the men would not deny their role in the 2001 attacks but 'would explain what happened and why they did it.'" ("Lawyer: 9/11 Defendants Will Tell Jury 'Why They Did It,'" The Associated Press, 11/23/09)
Rob Simmons's Background On Intelligence And National Security Makes Him Uniquely Qualified To Serve In The U.S. Senate. Rob Simmons served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam war and won two Bronze Star Medals. He continued as a Reserve Military Intelligence Officer for 37 years before retiring at the rank of Colonel.
He is past commander of the 434th Military Intelligence (MI) Detachment New Haven, CT, which won the Reserve Officers Associations Outstanding Small Unit Award in 1996. In 1998, Rob was recognized by for his contributions to the Military Intelligence Corps with the Knowlton Award for "Integrity, Moral Character, Professional Competence and Selflessness.
Following his active duty service in the Army, Rob joined the Central Intelligence Agency, working as an Operations Officer for a decade, including five years on assignment overseas in East Asia where he participated in difficult and dangerous missions to protect Americas national security.
Upon his return from East Asia, Rob left the CIA to join the staff of Senator John H. Chafee (R-Rhode Island) where he was Legislative Assistant for Military, Foreign and Veterans Affairs.
In 1981, he was assigned as a staff member to the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and soon thereafter was appointed by Chairman Barry Goldwater (R-Arizona) to serve as Staff Director of the full committee. Rob worked with the committee and the Reagan Administration on some of the most important national security challenges of the Cold War. CIA Director Casey presented him with the Agency Seal Medallion its highest civilian award in 1985.
In Congress, Rob served on the Armed Services, Transportation, Veterans Affairs and Homeland Security Committees. Rep. Simmons also served as the Chairman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Intelligence, Information Sharing, and Terrorism Risk Assessment and Veterans' Health Subcommittee.
TEXT CREDIT: Paid for by Simmons for Senate* 12 Roosevelt Ave, 2nd Floor, Mystic, CT 06355* Tel: 860-415-4633 | Fax: 860-415-4629 info@joinrobsimmons.com
VIDEO CREDIT: JoinRobSimmons
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