Military Families United: USS Cole Commander’s Statement on al-Qaeda Operative Sentenced to Eight Years
USS Cole Commander’s Statement on al-Qaeda Operative Sentenced to Eight Years
Washington, DC – Kirk S. Lippold, Former USS Cole Commander and Senior Military Fellow at Military Families United, released the following statement concerning the news that Ali Saleh Kahlah al-Marri, an al-Qaeda sleeper agent, was granted time served in his sentencing and will only serve eight years in prison. Ali Saleh Kahlah al-Marri entered the United States one day before September 11, 2001. He has admitted that he trained in al-Qaeda terrorist camps where he specialized in how to handle weapons and communicate by phone and e-mail using code. He also admitted to having regular contact with Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the mastermind behind the September 11 attacks.
“Punishment must fit the crime. Today, justice received an appalling setback by the inadequate sentence given to a terrorist who has admitted to working with high-level al-Qaeda operatives for the purpose of attacking the United States. Unfortunately, the bias of the current Department of Justice, where terrorists are considered victims and Americans are perceived to be the perpetrators of injustice, was clearly demonstrated with the grossly inadequate punishment al-Marri received today. During his two-day sentencing, expert after expert testified that al-Marri was a dedicated jihadist and committed to attacking our homeland. This judge arrogantly chose to disregard the facts. Now, our brave servicemembers who have paid in blood to capture these terrorists will once again be forced to pay the price with this twisted justice.
If today’s decision foreshadows the Department of Justice’s approach to the future of Guantanamo Bay, then detainee trials conducted by this Administration will create an era of unacceptable compromise to our national security. Our country cannot afford to allow terrorists to return to the battlefield where they will undoubtedly continue their campaign against American troops and our nation.”
CDR Kirk S. Lippold, USN (Ret.) was the Commanding Officer of USS Cole when it was attacked by al Qaeda terrorists in October 2000. CDR Lippold, who served on the Joint Chiefs of Staff crafting detainee policy in the initial stages of the war on terror, met with the President in February and with the Department of Justice in June to discuss the closure of Guantanamo Bay. CDR Lippold’s bio can be found here.
“Punishment must fit the crime. Today, justice received an appalling setback by the inadequate sentence given to a terrorist who has admitted to working with high-level al-Qaeda operatives for the purpose of attacking the United States. Unfortunately, the bias of the current Department of Justice, where terrorists are considered victims and Americans are perceived to be the perpetrators of injustice, was clearly demonstrated with the grossly inadequate punishment al-Marri received today. During his two-day sentencing, expert after expert testified that al-Marri was a dedicated jihadist and committed to attacking our homeland. This judge arrogantly chose to disregard the facts. Now, our brave servicemembers who have paid in blood to capture these terrorists will once again be forced to pay the price with this twisted justice.
If today’s decision foreshadows the Department of Justice’s approach to the future of Guantanamo Bay, then detainee trials conducted by this Administration will create an era of unacceptable compromise to our national security. Our country cannot afford to allow terrorists to return to the battlefield where they will undoubtedly continue their campaign against American troops and our nation.”
CDR Kirk S. Lippold, USN (Ret.) was the Commanding Officer of USS Cole when it was attacked by al Qaeda terrorists in October 2000. CDR Lippold, who served on the Joint Chiefs of Staff crafting detainee policy in the initial stages of the war on terror, met with the President in February and with the Department of Justice in June to discuss the closure of Guantanamo Bay. CDR Lippold’s bio can be found here.