Challenger terms Rep. King's stance on terrorists 'a disgrace'

The Department of Justice's decision to try 9/11 terrorist suspects in civilian court is creating a firestorm of opinion from Iowa's political representatives and candidates.

Western Iowa Congressman Steve King suggests that the action may result in a growth in domestic terrorism and the increased likelihood of American deaths.

The Iowa Republican called the Attorney General's decision to try five suspected terrorists, including Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, in federal court in New York an incomprehensible legal and national security blunder.

"It's a complete show trial that will recruit al Qaeda all over the world," said King.

Despite assurances from the Obama White House that the case against KSM and others is airtight, King insisted, "It is likely that some of these terrorists will be released whether in the U.S. or someone else in the world. If they are, innocent people will die and some of them likely will be Americans."

King claimed that the Obama administration's main intention was to "put president George Bush on trial," although the Bush administration had also tried terrorist suspects in federal court in Virginia. George W. Bush had stressed that these detainees "ought to be tried in courts here in the United States."

Democrat Mike Denklau, King's challenger in the 5th District, blasts the incumbent.

"Last week, Congressman Steve King gave a speech in front of our Supreme Court in Washington to incite fear and discredit the ability of our American system of government to bring accused terrorists to justice," Denklau said. "Steve King's partisan dedication to distractions is a disgrace. We know that bringing accused terrorists into our most experienced federal courts for one of the most important national security trials of the century is not an invitation to play games."

Denklau said he would welcome the plan to support the constitutional rule of law by prosecuting accused terrorists. He said he would remind Congressman King that our American system of government is comprised of not two but three branches of government and that legislators have no power to override the justice system.

"Our federal judicial system has proven its ability to successfully bring terrorists to justice over the past decade. Since September 11th, 2001, over 190 terrorists have been successfully prosecuted in U.S. federal courts. National security trials have traditionally protected the security interests of the United States while balancing the basic rights of the accused," he said.

"While Steve King may be afraid of defense lawyers and sketch artists, 5th District Iowans know better," he said. "Steve King is also wrong on the Guantanamo Bay detention facility. It's time to repair the stain that Guantanamo has put upon our country's reputation and demonstrate to the world we are a nation dedicated to the rule of law. Steve King's support for maintaining the facility on foreign territory indefinitely is short-sighted, has undermined our national security and alienated our allies around the world...Furthermore, the Guantanamo Bay prison unnecessarily threatens the safety of our troops abroad and serves as a terrorist recruiting tool."

Denklau says bringing prisoners to the Thompson, Illinois prison would also create some 3,000 jobs, benefitting some Iowans.

"Unfortunately, Steve King is more focused on fear mongering and outrageous partisan distractions than real, long-term national security priorities that Iowans in the 5th District pay him to work for," claims Denklau.

Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley backs the King stance.

"I don't agree with bringing terrorists anywhere in the United States, let alone a stone's throw from Iowa," he told the Pilot-Tribune in a statement this week.