(MYSTIC) - Rob Simmons, candidate for US Senate, said the following in reaction to news reports that the Obama Administration is considering changing the venue of a civilian trial for Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and other masterminds of the 9/11 attacks. The venue change from New York City once again opens up the possibility that the trial will be moved to Connecticut:

"Months ago when Attorney General Holder made the unilateral decision to try Khalid Sheikh Mohammed as a civilian in a criminal court in Manhattan, I objected strongly because these terrorist enemies of America are not entitled to Constitutional rights and because of the cost and security risks associated with a trial on American soil, a trial which I feared at the time could bring the terrorists to Connecticut.  Now that the administration appears to have concluded the New York City venue would present the very challenges I warned about, a venue change is likely and Connecticut once again is at risk.

"My opponents either backed the Holder plan or hedged until their political advisors could tell them what to believe because they do not have the backgrounds to fully understand the risk to our country.  Now, that the risk to Connecticut and any other civilian venue is in plain sight, I call on Attorney General Blumenthal to stand up for Connecticut and our national security and reverse his support for civilian trials for the terrorists on American soil."

FACTS

Attorney General Richard Blumenthal "Favors Prosecuting Domestic Terrorism In Regular Rather Than Military Courts." "Blumenthal did say forthrightly that he supports the war in Afghanistan and favors prosecuting domestic terrorism in regular rather than military courts." (Chris Powell, Op-Ed, "Searching For Candor In Blumenthal's Wake," Manchester Journal Inquirer, 1/11/10)

When Asked Her Opinion On Bringing Khalid Sheikh Mohammad To American Soil For A Civilian Trial, McMahon "Hedged," Stating: "I'll Probably Have More FirmPolicy Statements After The First Of The Year."  "[Judy] Hershon stopped McMahon to ask her opinion on the upcoming New York City terrorism trial. Republicans have blasted the Obama administration for deciding to try alleged 9/11 mastermind Khalid Shaikh Mohammed in federal court in New York City rather than in a military court abroad. Democrats like Dodd have largely supported the decision. One of Dodd's leading Republican challengers, Rob Simmons, blasted him for that position. 'I'm trying to do a poll of any politician I can find on this, since I'm from New York, where the trial's going to actually take place,' she said. McMahon hedged her bets on the issue. While New York 'has certainly tried other terrorists before,' she noted, this trial will cost New York $75 million. 'I'll probably have more firm policy statements  after the first of the year,' she said." (Ben Johnson, "Dodd Challenger Crashes The Tailgates," New Haven Independent, 11/23/09)

Last November, Attorney General Eric Holder Stated A Change In The Second Circuit Court Could Place The Trial In Connecticut. CORNYN: "Well, in terms of local security arrangements, I mean this case might be tried in Connecticut,Vermont, some other part of the Second Circuit, and you can't control that. I can't control that. The judges ultimately make that decision, correct?" HOLDER: "Well, I would think that one of the things the judge would take into account -- again, we're speculating here about the possibility of this case being moved -- would -- I hope the judge..." (Attorney General Eric Holder, Hearing, Senate Judiciary Committee, 11/18/09)

Holder Admitted Such A Decision Would Have "Very Real Security Concerns."CORNYN: "But you have to consider all the possibilities, don't you? Do you consider that that's even a risk?" HOLDER: "We consider the possibilities, and I would hope that the judge would take into account, in deciding where the case would be tried, the very real security concerns that this trial would -- would present." (Attorney General Eric Holder, Hearing, Senate Judiciary Committee, 11/18/09)

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