Trump suggests he might send the alleged New York attacker, a U.S. resident, to Guantanamo
President Trump said Wednesday that he "would certainly consider" sending alleged New York City attacker Sayfullo Habibullaevic Saipov, 29, to the Guantanamo Bay military prison in Cuba, CBS News reports. "That is significant because no one has been sent there in years, but also because the alleged attacker in this case is a U.S. resident," said CBS's White House correspondent Margaret Brennan. "[Saipov] is a U.S. green card holder with the rights that go along with that."
The Wall Street Journal's Byron Tau added on Twitter: "For context: Alleged attacker is a lawful permanent resident being charged with a crime that occurred on domestic soil." CBS's Brennan said that while it is "unlikely" that Saipov will actually be sent to Guantanamo, Trump is signaling "what he says is a position of strength and resolve."
"What we have right now is a joke and it's a laughingstock," Trump said Wednesday, adding that it is "no wonder" there are attacks.
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.
Saipov was born in Uzbekistan and was allegedly inspired by the Islamic State when he drove a truck down a busy bike path Tuesday in Manhattan, killing eight. In the wake of the attack, Trump called for the Department of Homeland Security to "step up our already extreme vetting program," although precisely what he means by that is unclear. Jeva Lange
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
Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.
-
Democrats blame 'President Musk' for looming shutdown
Speed Read The House of Representatives rejected a spending package that would've funding the government into 2025
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Today's political cartoons - December 20, 2024
Cartoons Friday's cartoons - founding fathers, old news, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Parker Palm Springs review: decadence in the California desert
The Week Recommends This over-the-top hotel is a mid-century modern gem
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
Democrats blame 'President Musk' for looming shutdown
Speed Read The House of Representatives rejected a spending package that would've funding the government into 2025
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump, Musk sink spending bill, teeing up shutdown
Speed Read House Republicans abandoned the bill at the behest of the two men
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Congress reaches spending deal to avert shutdown
Speed Read The bill would fund the government through March 14, 2025
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Luigi Mangione charged with murder, terrorism
Speed Read Magnione is accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Ex-FBI informant pleads guilty to lying about Bidens
Speed Read Alexander Smirnov claimed that President Joe Biden and his son Hunter were involved in a bribery scheme with Ukrainian energy company Burisma
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
South Korea impeaches president, eyes charges
Speed Read Yoon Suk Yeol faces investigations on potential insurrection and abuse of power charges
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Biden sets new clemency record, hints at more
Speed Read President Joe Biden commuted a record 1,499 sentences and pardoned 39 others convicted of nonviolent crimes
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Mysterious drones roil New Jersey, prompt FBI inquiry
Speed Read State and federal officials are both stumped and concerned
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published