Biden took office pledging to close Guantanamo, as did Obama. As we’ve reported, a deal was set up with Oman last year to take the 16 prisoners “cleared” for release years ago. Then Biden cancelled it.
A deal was made this year for the three prisoners accused of 9/11 crimes to plead guilty and serve life in prison; that was also canceled by the Biden administration through the action of Lloyd Austin, the Defense Secretary. Then a military trial judge said Austin had no standing to overrule the pleas. Now the Biden administration has interceded again to keep the Military Commission trial going, despite the difficulties the prosecution faces due to the history of torture all 3 men suffered.
From CloseGuantanamo.org:
Free the Guantanamo 16: A Message To President Biden As His Time Runs Out
As President Biden prepares to leave office, he has a chance to salvage something of a legacy by taking decisive action to address the outstanding injustice of the men still held at Guantánamo despite having been long approved for release. If he does so, it will be a small measure of success when contrasted with what will undeniably be the main component of his legacy — his unforgivable indulgence of, and support for, Israel’s unending genocidal assault on the Gaza Strip — but it will be an act of huge significance.
From Center for Constitutional Rights:
As Plea Deals With 9/11 Defendants Move Forward, Biden Must Move Quickly to Transfer 19 Uncharged Men from Guantánamo
The Biden administration should not appeal this ruling because, after more than twenty years of litigation and uncertainty for victims’ families, plea deals are the only responsible way to resolve the 9/11 case. The president must instead use this opportunity to transfer the remaining 19 uncharged men out of Guantánamo, 16 of whom have been approved for transfer by all relevant agencies based on a unanimous determination that they pose no security threat, including our clients Guled Hassan Duran and Sharqawi al Hajj. These two steps are essential to fulfilling Biden’s longstanding commitment to turn the page on the 9/11 era by closing this shameful site of torture and indefinite detention.