When Rahm Emanuel Opposed Indefinite Detention Without Trial

A timely reminder from FDL’s Marcy Wheeler that Rahm Emanuel lent his name to the following statement in 2007:

Since the time that captured “enemy combatants” were first brought to Guantanamo Bay in 2002, the detainment facility has undermined America’s image as the model of justice and protector of human rights around the world. Holding prisoners for an indefinite period of time, without charging them with a crime goes against our values, ideals and principles as a nation governed by the rule of law. Further, Guantanamo Bay has become a liability in the broader global war on terror, as allegations of torture, the indefinite detention of innocent men, and international objections to the treatment of enemy combatants has hurt our credibility as the beacon for freedom and justice. Its continued operation also threatens the safety of U.S. citizens and military personnel detained abroad.

Marcy’s emphasis. Now Emanuel, the White House chief of staff, is horsetrading with Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) about closing the Guantanamo Bay detention facility — the consistent thread here — in exchange for a military trial for Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and, Graham hopes, some entrenched system of indefinite detention. Of course, the Justice Department task force on Guantanamo has already recommended over 40 detainees to be held indefinitely without trial, so perhaps Graham is merely offering a quantitative addition.

(Full disclosure: My personal blog appears on FDL.)