Vice President Joe Biden said it was unclear if the trials of the 9/11 terror suspects Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and others will be held in New York City. During an interview on NBC's “Meet the Press” on Sunday, Biden said the ultimate decision on the location of the trials will be made by the president. He added that the trials could possibly be held in a military tribunal.
Last year, Attorney General Eric Holder said the suspects will be tried in a criminal case that would be held in the Lower Manhattan District Court, just blocks away from the terrorist attacks.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg, community leaders, and many locals oppose the idea, saying the trials are too expensive and would cause disruptions. Bloomberg said the trials would cost as much as $200 million per year for security.
Although President Obama has recently backed off on his original decision to hold the trials in New York City, he has not yet ruled out the possibility of holding them in Lower Manhattan.
