The White House on Friday ruled out the trial of Khalid Sheikh Mohammad, the alleged mastermind of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in a military court as demanded by several US lawmakers, even as it described him a murderous thug.
"Khalid Sheikh Mohammed is a murderous thug who has admitted to some of the most heinous crimes ever committed against our country.
And the (US) President is committed to seeing that he's brought to justice," said the White House Deputy Press Secretary Bill Burton.
US President Barack Obama, agrees with the Attorney General's opinion that Khalid Sheikh Mohammad and others can be litigated successfully and securely in the US, just like others have, like Richard Reid.
"Currently our federal jails hold hundreds of convicted terrorists, and the President's opinion has not changed on that," Burton said.
Khalid Sheikh Mohammed is currently being tried in a New York court, which is being opposed by several US lawmakers and the New York Mayor, Mike Bloomberg.
"Well, the concern is that if you do have the terror trials in New York City, it will be an overwhelmingly --financial burden to the city.
{{/usCountry}}"Well, the concern is that if you do have the terror trials in New York City, it will be an overwhelmingly --financial burden to the city.
{{/usCountry}}So one of the things I've been advocating for is that if they are located in New York City, we have to be re-compensated," said Senator Kirsten Gillbrand.