Rep. Tom Rooney Blasts Obama Over Gitmo Trial 'Disaster'

U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney, a member of the House Armed Services Committee and the Judiciary Committee, called the acquittal of terror suspect Ahmed Khalfan Ghailani on 280 counts of murder and conspiracy a "disaster."

The Obama administrations decision to give a foreign terrorist the same rights and privileges as American citizens has proven to be disastrous, and this verdict sets a terrible precedent," said Rooney, R-Tequesta.

"Foreign terrorists absolutely do not deserve the same rights in a court of law as American citizens. The constitutional and legal standards for evidence-gathering and prosecution in a civilian case are simply not adequate for the trial of an enemy combatant."

Rooney knows whereof he speaks. A former member of the U.S. Army JAG Corps and a special assistant U.S. attorney at Fort Hood, he taught constitutional and criminal law at West Point.

I strongly believe that trying enemy combatants in military tribunals at Guantanamo Bay is the best approach. These tribunals are fair, provide due process for the accused, but also protect critical intelligence officials and evidence," Rooney said in a statement.

"I hope this verdict will convince President Obama to join us in a bipartisan manner to hold terrorists accountable, keep them out of the United States, and prevent them from rejoining the fight.