Washington, D.C.
Law firms that represent prisoners held in Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, are aiding terrorism, and their corportate clients should reconsider doing business with them, a senior Pentagon official said last week. Charles “Cully” Stimson, deputy assistant defense secretary for detainee affairs, said during a radio interview that it was “shocking” that top law firms were volunteering to represent suspected terrorists. “CEOs are going to make those law firms choose between representing terrorists or representing reputable firms,” Stimson said. Lawyers’ groups denounced Stimson’s remarks, arguing that the right to a vigorous defense is a cornerstone of the U.S. justice system. After a Pentagon spokesman said Stimson’s comments did not reflect the views of the Defense Department, he apologized, saying that both sides in any legal dispute deserve “competent legal counsel.”
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
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.
-
Mickey 17: 'charming space oddity' that's a 'sparky one-off'The Week Recommends 'Remarkable' Robert Pattinson stars in Bong Joon-ho's sci-fi comedy
-
EastEnders at 40: are soaps still relevant?Talking Point Albert Square's residents are celebrating, but falling viewer figures have fans worried the soap bubble has burst
-
What will the thaw in Russia-US relations cost Europe?Today's Big Question US determination to strike a deal with Russia over Ukraine means Europe faces 'betrayal by a long-term ally'
