The Pentagon is set to announce the release of 15 Guantanamo Bay prisoners, making it the largest transfer yet during Barack Obama's presidency. The inmates are expected to be transferred to the United Arab Emirates.
House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce (R-CA) warned that Obama's plan to close Gitmo will spell disaster for national security.
“In its race to close Gitmo, the Obama administration is doubling down on policies that put American lives at risk," Royce says in a new statement. "Once again, hardened terrorists are being released to foreign countries where they will be a threat. Too many have already died at the hands of former detainees. I fear we will be dealing with the consequences of this recklessness for years to come.”
The number of Gitmo detainees is now down to 61. Should he succeed Obama, GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump has pledged to keep them there - and to bring them to trial.
Trump vows to keep open Guantanamo Bay and declares "enemy combatants will be tried in military tribunals"
— Chris Snyder (@ChrisSnyderFox) August 15, 2016