King: 9/11 trial in N.Y. 'irresponsible'

WASHINGTON, May 9 (UPI) -- U.S. Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., Sunday said trying alleged Sept. 11, 2001, mastermind Khalid Sheik Mohammed in Manhattan would be "irresponsible" and foolhardy.

"New York City is already the No. 1 terrorist target in the world," King said on Fox News Sunday. He was responding after John Brennan, deputy national security adviser for counter-terrorism and homeland security, said the U.S. Justice Department was still considering trying Mohammed in New York City.

"I think it is reasonable to look at every option out there and find the best way to being that murderer to justice," Brennan said.

King, the ranking-Republican on the Homeland Security Committee, said trying Mohammed in Manhattan would be the "most irresponsible decision the (Obama) administration ever made."

"You were going to be turning lower Manhattan into an armed camp. You were going to be, in effect, making it impossible for people to live in that area. … It would be absolute madness."