WASHINGTON, Nov. 23 (UPI) -- Faced with legal uncertainties over its handling of terror suspects, the Bush administration has yet to form a constant policy, the New York Times reports.
Since the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the White House has grappled with its policy on the detention of suspects abroad and on U.S. soil, with foreign suspects and U.S. citizens alike.
Highlighting the dilemma is the case of Jose Padilla, a U.S. citizen captured on U.S. soil.
Sunday, President George Bush signed a directive ordering the Defense Department, which had been holding Padilla without being charged as an "enemy combatant," to transfer him to the Justice Department "for the purpose of criminal proceedings against him." Padilla was charged Tuesday with conspiring to commit criminal acts overseas.
Jonathan Freiman, a lawyer for Padilla, said his client would continue to seek Supreme Court review.
"It's a power they claim to have not only over my client, but every American citizen," Freiman said. "They can seize anyone, anywhere."
The Supreme Court is also reviewing whether the president has the authority to try detainees held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, for terrorist offenses before military commissions there.
