This week, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz was chosen by Vice President Kamala Harris as her running mate. In 2009, he voted against a proposal to prevent the federal government from relocating inmates from the Guantánamo Bay detention facility, arguing that U.S. facilities were capable of managing the alleged terrorists being transferred.
Walz opposed a measure aimed at blocking the transfer of detainees from the facility, often referred to as “Gitmo,” to the U.S. The MinnPost reported that this initiative was spearheaded by Republicans as a way to counteract an amendment supporting the transfers for trials, a part of then-President Barack Obama’s plan to shutter the controversial prison.
Republicans contended that bringing the detainees to the U.S. for trial represented a significant security risk and would grant them protections under American law. This measure was included in a Department of Homeland Security appropriations bill, as noted by the New York Times.
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Minnesota Governor Tim Walz addresses a press conference on new gun legislation at City Hall on August 1, 2024, in Bloomington, Minnesota. He is viewed as a potential vice presidential candidate alongside Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris. (Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
The Washington Free Beacon recently highlighted Walz’s previous vote and reported his comments from the same year, where he downplayed concerns regarding the risks if Gitmo detainees were brought to the U.S., suggesting that care could be provided at the Federal Medical Center in Rochester.
Rep. Pat Fallon, a Republican from Texas and member of the House Armed Services Committee, criticized Walz for his past actions regarding Guantanamo Bay, stating that his record has jeopardized the safety of Americans and national security.
“Tim Walz, facing accusations of falsely claiming he avoided service in Iraq, has historically voted to close Guantanamo Bay and transfer some of the world’s most dangerous terrorists to the United States,” remarked Sam Rogers, an Army veteran and government affairs director at the Foundation for Government Accountability.
Walz maintained his stance that closing the facility was imperative for peace in the Middle East, as reported by MPR News.
“Provided that all procedures are adhered to, as they have been in other cases, and that we are clear on the legal processes available to these individuals, I believe our professionals can manage it,” the Democratic governor stated.
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On April 5, 2023, a coalition of human rights organizations protested across various states, advocating for the release of detainees at Guantanamo Bay eligible for transfer. The vigil was held in Washington D.C. (Celal Gunes/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Guantanamo Bay returned to the news this week as Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin reversed a plea agreement reached by Pentagon prosecutors concerning three terrorists linked to the September 11 attacks, who are still awaiting trial at the facility. According to the Times, approximately 30 detainees remain incarcerated there.
Scrutiny is intensifying on Walz, who transitioned from a lawmaker to the governor of Minnesota. His recent selection by Vice President Kamala Harris as her running mate for the 2024 Democratic presidential ticket has sparked increased interest in his past records, including his positions on immigration and military service.
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“As a governor, a coach, a teacher, and a veteran, he’s delivered for working families like his own. We are going to build a great partnership,” Harris commented in a statement. “We may be underdogs, but I believe that together, we can win this election.”
