U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS) led a group of senators in urging President Donald Trump to strengthen the Guantanamo Bay (GTMO), Cuba, detention center and to place a hold on detainee transfers.
Moran made the requests in a letter to Trump that was signed by U.S. Sens. Roy Blunt (R-MO), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Cory Gardner (R-CO), Pat Roberts (R-KS), Steve Daines (R-MT) and Orrin Hatch (R-UT).
“Congress has continuously opposed and prohibited the closure of GTMO, as well as the transfer of GTMO detainees to U.S. soil since 2010 in response to the previous administration’s attempt to fulfill a campaign promise,” the letter states. “Despite the growing number of threats to our nation from terrorists around the globe, the Obama administration demonstrated a serious disregard for the safety of the American people and the will of Congress by dramatically reducing the number of detainees housed at GTMO to justify those remaining to be transferred to the U.S.”
The senators also requested suspension of the Periodic Review Board, which has been authorized to make determinations on detainee releases without congressional oversight.
Moran said he was encouraged by the president’s acknowledgement that terrorists captured on the battlefield who pose a threat to the United States should be detained at GTMO.
“I look forward to working with him to reinforce the critical mission the detention facility serves in putting the safety of Americans first,” Moran said. “… In the face of the growing number of threats against our nation and the troubling recidivism rate of detainee terrorists, the previous administration’s reckless practice of releasing detainees must end.”
The senators also requested that Trump consider a military value analysis and recommendations of the nation’s senior military leaders regarding the future of GTMO.