Gitmo trials resume: Is Obama admitting he was wrong?
The president lifts a two-year freeze on military trials for terror suspects detained at Guantanamo Bay, with a few tweaks to the Bush system he's long criticized
![Obama signed an executive order Monday to establish a system to hold dangerous suspects in Guantantamo indefinitely, despite his vow to close the center.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/qnFtY6X9bdgcv4qeVG2J7Y-415-80.jpg)
In a stark reversal, President Obama on Monday ended a two-year freeze on military trials for terror suspects held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and established a system for holding dangerous detainees there indefinitely, without charges. Administration officials say the president remains committed to closing the military prison, but critics say he's just perpetuating the policies of his predecessor. Is Obama essentially conceding that George W. Bush was right? (Watch an AP report about the reversal)
Yes, Obama's hypocrisy is shocking: "This isn't a flip flop; it's a lie," says Rick Moran at American Thinker. The administration insists Obama has changed Bush's policy, but he's basically restarting the same military tribunals he vilified Bush for during the 2008 campaign. Smell that? It's the "nauseating stench of hypocrisy."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
![https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516-320-80.jpg)
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Obama has not changed his mind: This is "embarrassing" for Obama, says Frank James at NPR, but it probably "won't hurt him politically." He remains committed to closing Guantanamo, but Congress is blocking him. In the meantime, at least he's adding procedures "to bring the detentions closer to the norms of U.S. constitutional values and the Geneva Conventions."
"Obama Gitmo reversal: Maybe embarrassing but unlikely to hurt politically"
Whatever the reason, this makes a mockery of justice: Obama is trying to soothe his disappointed supporters, says Amy Davidson at The New Yorker, by setting up some "court-like trappings" for prisoners held "indefinitely without charges." But he's still sidestepping "the rule of law." Maybe he's doing it less brazenly than Bush — but that doesn't exactly "count as a moral stand."
Obama is finally accepting reality: The 172 detainees at Guantanamo aren't pickpockets — they're "accused war criminals," says the New York Daily News. It would be "costly, dangerous and politically untenable" to insist on trying people like the confessed "9/11 mastermind" Khalid Sheikh Mohammed in civilian courts. Obama is now giving them access to a "fair and constitutional justice system." This just proves "it is never too late to do the right thing."
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Paloma recipe: the cocktail of the summer
The Week Recommends This refreshing drink balances the fresh and fizzy taste of grapefruit soda with a subtle flavour of smooth tequila
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Mushroom edibles are tripping up users
the explainer The psychedelics can sometimes have questionable components
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Prisons are simply not prepared for extreme heat
Under the radar Inmates are at severe risk of heat-related illness
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
How could J.D. Vance impact the special relationship?
Today's Big Question Trump's hawkish pick for VP said UK is the first 'truly Islamist country' with a nuclear weapon
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Biden, Trump urge calm after assassination attempt
Speed Reads A 20-year-old gunman grazed Trump's ear and fatally shot a rally attendee on Saturday
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Supreme Court rejects challenge to CFPB
Speed Read The court rejected a conservative-backed challenge to the way the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is funded
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Arizona court reinstates 1864 abortion ban
Speed Read The law makes all abortions illegal in the state except to save the mother's life
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump, billions richer, is selling Bibles
Speed Read The former president is hawking a $60 "God Bless the USA Bible"
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The debate about Biden's age and mental fitness
In Depth Some critics argue Biden is too old to run again. Does the argument have merit?
By Grayson Quay Published
-
How would a second Trump presidency affect Britain?
Today's Big Question Re-election of Republican frontrunner could threaten UK security, warns former head of secret service
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Rwanda plan is less a deterrent and more a bluff'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By The Week UK Published