Terrorist trials: Use military tribunals

The Obama administration has sent confusing signals about the upcoming trials of suspects accused of planning the 9/11 attacks. Federal court in New York City appears to be off the table and other sites are being considered. The president also has waffled on shutting down Guantanamo Bay, the U.S. military prison in Cuba where terrorist detainees have been housed, some since 2002.

We suggest the president clear the air and go back to square one. Conduct military tribunals for all detainees at Guantanamo.

The president does have the constitutional authority to try terrorists in federal court or the military courts. Some previous terrorist cases have been handled in civilian trials. But suspected terrorists from other countries captured during military operations would be best handled through the military commissions Congress established for such circumstances. These suspects are accused of warlike actions and are not U.S. citizens. Why single out a few of them for civilian trials and spend hundreds of millions of tax dollars on security for such a high-profile case? One that already has been tarnished by comments from the president and Attorney General Eric Holder that prejudged accused 9/11 mastermind Khalid Shaikh Mohammed.

What's most important is that the detainees have not had their day in court after years of delay. They deserve to have their cases fairly and more promptly tried. Military tribunals can accomplish that.