Posted on 11/25/2015 1:40:26 PM PST by jazusamo
President Obama on Wednesday signed a $607 billion annual defense policy bill, even though it includes language that hampers the closure of the Guantanamo Bay military prison.
As a presidential candidate Obama pledged to close the controversial detention facility, but has been thwarted repeatedly by Congress, which opposes transferring detainees to the mainland United States.
In a rare move, the president issued a signed statement blasting provisions in the bill intended to block the president from moving Guantanamo Bay prisoners to facilities within the U.S.
"I am, however, deeply disappointed that the Congress has again failed to take productive action toward closing the detention facility at Guantanamo," he said. "Maintaining this site, year after year, is not consistent with our interests as a nation and undermines our standing in the world." The White House has pledged to present a final proposal to Congress to shutter the prison before Obama leaves office, but has left open the possibility the president could act on his own if lawmakers object to his plan.
Obama's statement suggested some Guantanamo provisions in the defense bill might violate the Constitution.
"The executive branch must have the flexibility, with regard to the detainees who remain at Guantanamo, to determine when and where to prosecute them, based on the facts and circumstances of each case and our national security interests, and when and where to transfer them consistent with our national security and our humane treatment policy," he wrote.
"Under certain circumstances, the provisions in this bill concerning detainee transfers would violate constitutional separation of powers principles."
Vetoing this Defense bill, in the current environment, would no doubt be too much for even SOME Democrats (of the more influential variety). So he signed it. But he has no intention of following the law.
0dunga is determined to free his terrorist brothers in Gitmo, regardless what any piece of paper says.
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