Colin Powell: Closing Guantanamo Bay is in the nation's 'best interest'

Colin Powell agrees with President Obama's plan to shut down Guantanamo Bay, saying a closure of the detention facility is in the "best interest" of the United States.

"Do we really need to keep this place open for 50 remaining detainees who we can easily move to a secure facility in the United States?" the former secretary of state asked during an appearance Wednesday on Andrea Mitchell Reports.

Under Obama's plan, over the next few months, about 35 of the detainees will be transferred to other countries, while 60 prisoners who are facing trial by military commission or those who are not facing charges but have been deemed too dangerous for release will be sent to facilities in the United States. Powell said this can be done without endangering citizens, and he's certain federal courts will do a good job prosecuting the suspected terrorists. "You put a terrorist before a jury of Americans who are worried about their security, and I'm not worried about them getting off on some plea deal," he said. "They're going to get hammered, and they have been hammered."

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