A group of state, local and federal officials in Kansas wrote President Obama on Monday urging him not to transfer suspected terrorists from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to the U.S. Disciplinary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth.
The president wants to close the military prison in Cuba, and the Pentagon is considering Fort Leavenworth as a place for some or all of the 107 remaining detainees. But officials say their constituents fear that will make the community a terrorist target.
“Moving these terrorists to our community could jeopardize our families, schools and downtown businesses, and make Leavenworth a target,” the officials wrote. “Several folks have already said that they will leave our community should you choose to relocate Guantanamo detainees to Fort Leavenworth.”
The letter was signed by Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback, Lt. Gov. Jeff Colyer, both of the state’s U.S. senators, several House members and state lawmakers reprensenting the area around the prison. Leavenworth Mayor Lisa Weakley also signed the letter.
One of those who signed the letter, GOP Rep. Lynn Jenkins, told the Washington Examiner after a town hall meeting in Leavenworth last week that residents feared for their safety if the move is made.
The annual defense policy law Obama signed last month contains a provision that would effectively bar him from closing the prison in Cuba and moving the remaining detainees unless Congress approves a plan to do so. Still, many Republicans fear the president will use executive action to close the prison.
