Trump backs off from Guantanamo statement, urges 'death penalty' for NYC terror suspect Sayfullo Saipov
President Trump urged the death penalty for Uzbek immigrant Sayfullo Saipov on Wednesday, and expanded on that sentiment with more tweets on Thursday morning.
The president tweeted Wednesday that Sayfullo Saipov, the New York City terror attack suspect who plowed a rented truck through a busy bike path, “should get death penalty.”
“NYC terrorist was happy as he asked to hang ISIS flag in his hospital room,” Trump wrote. “He killed 8 people, badly injured 12. SHOULD GET DEATH PENALTY!”
NYC terrorist was happy as he asked to hang ISIS flag in his hospital room. He killed 8 people, badly injured 12. SHOULD GET DEATH PENALTY!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 2, 2017
According to Politico, “It is extremely unusual for a sitting president to weigh in on an ongoing criminal trial process, let alone recommend capital punishment, and could potentially complicate efforts to prosecute Saipov.”
What we know about the NYC terror attack suspect:
Trump delivered his remarks on the attack earlier in the day as well.
“That was a horrible event, and we have to stop it, and we have to stop it cold,” the president told reporters. “We also have to come up with punishment that’s far quicker and far greater than the punishment these animals are getting right now.”
Trump again sounded off on the situation via Twitter on Thursday morning, backing away from his initial statement that he wanted to send Saipov to Guantanamo Bay.
"Would love to send the NYC terrorist to Guantanamo but statistically that process takes much longer than going through the Federal system," Trump wrote. "There is also something appropriate about keeping him in the home of the horrible crime he committed. Should move fast. DEATH PENALTY!"
Would love to send the NYC terrorist to Guantanamo but statistically that process takes much longer than going through the Federal system...
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 2, 2017
...There is also something appropriate about keeping him in the home of the horrible crime he committed. Should move fast. DEATH PENALTY!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 2, 2017
Trump has also pushed for a change in visa policy, stating that he’s “starting the process of terminating the diversary lottery program.”
“I’m going to ask Congress to immediately initiate work to get rid of this program,” the president added.
CNN notes while Saipov is an Uzbek national, he did enter the U.S. legally with a diversity immigrant visa which provides permanent resident status.
Christina Gregg contributed to this report.
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