Sayfullo Saipov, the alleged perpetrator of Tuesday’s New York terror attack, is an “enemy combatant,” according to White House press secretary Sarah Sanders.
President Donald Trump expressed frustration Wednesday with the justice system calling it a “joke” before a cabinet meeting. If the administration were to consider Saipov an enemy combatant, it would waive his Miranda rights.
“Take him to Guantanamo. He’s a terrorist and he should be kept there. And there’s no Miranda rights for somebody who kills Americans,” Arizona Sen. John McCain told reporters before the White House press briefing. His colleague and fellow war hawk Sen. Lindsey Graham tweeted Saipov “should be held as enemy combatant under the law of the law.”
Law enforcement officials have said that Saipov followed Islamic State intructions to “the T.”
“Mr. Saipov does not have to be transfered to GTMO, but that certainly is an option available to the administration. My main goal is to gather as much reliable intelligence as quickly as possible. We are fighting a war – not a crime,” Sen. Graham said in a statement.
Trump told reporters he was open to the prospect of Saipov being sent to Guatanamo Bay. Sanders said during Wednesday’s briefing that Trump is open to the idea, but there are no plans to put anything in motion.