Obama Rejects The War on Terror by Trying Boston Bombing Suspect in Civilian Court

Last updated on April 24th, 2013 at 01:13 pm

The Obama White House rebuked the war on terror by confirming that Boston bombing suspect Dzhokhar A. Tsarnaev will be read his Miranda rights and tried in civilian court.

NBC News’ Pete Williams is reporting that the Obama administration intends to read the suspect his Miranda rights In the meantime, “But the administration said it would invoke a public safety exception to the Miranda rule shortly after Tsarnaev’s apprehension, and would withhold the warning normally read to suspects under arrest when the accused terrorist is physically able to be interrogated.”

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Video of Pete Williams reporting the suspect will be tried in civilian court:

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The White House has already rebuked Sen. Lindsey Graham’s call for Tsarnaev to be classified as an enemy combatant. Williams reported on MSNBC’s The Last Word that that administration plans to try the Boston Bomber in civilian court.

Video of President Obama’s statement:

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The president specifically mentioned using the courts in his statement’s about Tsarnaev’s capture, “When a tragedy like this happens … it’s important that we do this right. That’s why we have investigations. That’s why we relentlessly gather the facts. That’s why we have courts. That’s why we take care not to rush to judgment.”

Sen. Graham used the bogus reasoning that the only way information could be acquired from the suspect was if he was denied his constitutional rights as an American citizen.

It makes perfect sense to wait to read the suspect his Miranda rights, because a mistake now could cost the government a conviction later. The White House wouldn’t have to consider such possibilities if they behaved like Republicans and trampled on the rights of American citizens, but this White House is not buying into the Bush administration’s war on terror mentality.

President Obama’s administration will once again demonstrate to Republicans that it is possible for justice to be done without violating the rights of our citizens and who we are as a nation.

Jason Easley

Jason is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.

Awards and  Professional Memberships

Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association