NEW YORK—Once a major supporter of holding trials of 9/11 conspirators in Manhattan, Mayor Michael Bloomberg has switched sides. During a press conference on Wednesday, he said, “It’s going to cost an awful lot of money and disturb an awful lot of people.”
“My hope is that the attorney general and the president decide to change their mind,” said Bloomberg, according to MSNBC.
Holding the trials of self-proclaimed 9/11 mastermind Khalid Shaikh Mohammed and his co-conspirators in Lower Manhattan will cost the city an estimated $216 million for the first year, and $206 million for each additional year, if they lasted longer, according to estimates from U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer.
Most of the money would go toward heightened security. Sen. Schumer proposed a 24-hour canine post and an assault team. He said in a statement that prior to the arrival of the terror suspects, heavily armed NYPD officers will “lock down and sweep the area.”
Bloomberg’s statements were not made as an official change in plans, but rather in response to a question regarding a community board vote in Lower Manhattan to have the trials held elsewhere.
On Jan. 5 Bloomberg sent a letter to White House Budget Director Peter Orszag, requesting the funds necessary to cover the costs of the controversial trials.
Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani was among the first to oppose the decision, saying it was a regression to a “pre-9/11 mentality with respect to Islamic extremist terrorism.”
War criminals are typically tried in military tribunals. Giuliani said having the terror suspects stand trial in a civilian court is not recognizing them as prisoners of war in the war against terrorism.
Giuliani said in a statement that Khalid Shaikh Mohammed “is not just another murderer, or even a mass murderer. He murdered as part of a declared war against us—America.”
Bloomberg took a different stance and was a primary supporter of the White House decision, saying in a statement “It is fitting that 9/11 suspects face justice near the World Trade Center site where so many New Yorkers were murdered.”
“When I spoke to Attorney General Holder earlier today, I told him New York City stands ready to assist the federal court in the administration of justice in any way necessary,” Bloomberg previously said.
The suspects cannot be transferred to New York City until all legal requirements are met, including a report to Congress.
Along with Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, four other individuals linked to terrorism will stand trial.
According to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, “Federal rules allow us to seek the death penalty for capital offenses, and while we will review the evidence and circumstances following established protocols, I fully expect to direct prosecutors to seek the death penalty against each of the alleged 9/11 conspirators.”
“My hope is that the attorney general and the president decide to change their mind,” said Bloomberg, according to MSNBC.
Holding the trials of self-proclaimed 9/11 mastermind Khalid Shaikh Mohammed and his co-conspirators in Lower Manhattan will cost the city an estimated $216 million for the first year, and $206 million for each additional year, if they lasted longer, according to estimates from U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer.
Most of the money would go toward heightened security. Sen. Schumer proposed a 24-hour canine post and an assault team. He said in a statement that prior to the arrival of the terror suspects, heavily armed NYPD officers will “lock down and sweep the area.”
Bloomberg’s statements were not made as an official change in plans, but rather in response to a question regarding a community board vote in Lower Manhattan to have the trials held elsewhere.
On Jan. 5 Bloomberg sent a letter to White House Budget Director Peter Orszag, requesting the funds necessary to cover the costs of the controversial trials.
Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani was among the first to oppose the decision, saying it was a regression to a “pre-9/11 mentality with respect to Islamic extremist terrorism.”
War criminals are typically tried in military tribunals. Giuliani said having the terror suspects stand trial in a civilian court is not recognizing them as prisoners of war in the war against terrorism.
Giuliani said in a statement that Khalid Shaikh Mohammed “is not just another murderer, or even a mass murderer. He murdered as part of a declared war against us—America.”
Bloomberg took a different stance and was a primary supporter of the White House decision, saying in a statement “It is fitting that 9/11 suspects face justice near the World Trade Center site where so many New Yorkers were murdered.”
“When I spoke to Attorney General Holder earlier today, I told him New York City stands ready to assist the federal court in the administration of justice in any way necessary,” Bloomberg previously said.
The suspects cannot be transferred to New York City until all legal requirements are met, including a report to Congress.
Along with Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, four other individuals linked to terrorism will stand trial.
According to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, “Federal rules allow us to seek the death penalty for capital offenses, and while we will review the evidence and circumstances following established protocols, I fully expect to direct prosecutors to seek the death penalty against each of the alleged 9/11 conspirators.”
