Senators: Obama left Americans 'in the dark' on Guantanamo

By Anna Giaritelli, Anna Giaritelli

Published December 20, 2015

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Seven Republican senators are demanding that the Obama administration release unclassified information on all current Guantanamo detainees, amid speculation that the administration is looking for a a way to close the detention center.

In a Thursday letter, Sens. Mike Rounds of South Dakota, Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire, James Inhofe of Oklahoma, Tom Cotton of Arkansas, Thom Tillis of North Carolina, and Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott of South Carolina called President Obama to honor his 2009 promise to be transparent about released or transferred detainees.

"The administration's actions with respect to Guantanamo detainee transfers have not been consistent with your commitment," the letter states. "As a result, Americans are left in the dark regarding the detainee's potential membership in al Qaeda or its affiliates … Without this information, it is difficult for Americans to accurately assess the wisdom of transferring these detainees."

Current administration practices disclose only the names of released detainee and the country the individual is transferred to. The senators requested information on all detainees' previous terrorist activities and associations, previous assessments of the detainee's risk level to the U.S. and our allies, and behavior while in detention.