GOP lawmaker: Keep terrorist suspects out of US, civilian courts

GOP lawmaker: WH sends mixed signals on terrorism

WASHINGTON — A senior House Republican says the Christmas day attempt to attack a Northwest Airlines plane reinforces his party’s stand that terrorists should be treated as war criminals and tried in military courts.

Rep. Peter King of New York said in the GOP’s weekly radio address that the Obama White House should “stop sending mixed messages” in its approach to terrorist threats.

Republicans back legislation that would prevent terrorists from being brought to American soil from the Guantanamo Bay detention facility and would help stop plans to put alleged Sept. 11 terrorists on trial in a federal court in New York. The 23-year-old Nigerian accused of trying to blow up Northwest Flight 253 also faces criminal charges in a federal court.

King said acts of terrorism should be treated as a war crime, not a law enforcement issue.