The U.S. prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, is run by the U.S. military. Former President Barack Obama issued an executive order in 2008 to close the prison, but it failed due to political opposition in the United States.
The U.S. Department of Defense announced Saturday (Jan. 30) that it has “suspended” plans to prioritize vaccinations against the new coronavirus (COVID-19) for felons in military prisons. Republicans and 9/11 survivors have previously criticized the program as prioritizing terror suspects over Americans.
Guantanamo detainees will not be vaccinated,” Defense Department Press Secretary John Kirby tweeted Saturday. We are suspending plans to move forward as we review force protection agreements. We remain committed to meeting our obligations to keep our troops safe.”
No Guantanamo detainees have been vaccinated. we’re pausing the plan to move forward, as we review force protection protocols. We remain committed to our obligations to keep our troops safe.
- John Kirby (@PentagonPresSec) January 30,2021
The New York Post reported Friday (29) that the Defense Department confirmed that Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, one of the masterminds of the Sept. 11 attacks, will receive the coronavirus (COVID) vaccine next week, possibly months ahead of the average American waiting in line for the vaccine, and that those who, like Mohammed, were masterminds of the attacks and other criminals or suspects held at Guantanamo Bay will begin receiving the vaccine, even as the United States now faces a severe shortage of the vaccine.
Terry Adirim, the newly appointed chief deputy secretary of defense for health, signed a 27-day order to provide the coronavirus vaccine to “all detainees and prisoners,” the report said.
Defense Department spokesman Michael Howard later confirmed that the vaccination “will be administered on a voluntary basis and in accordance with the Department of Defense’s priority distribution plan.
DOD confirms plan to vaccinate 40 military felons
Two defense officials confirmed to Fox News on Saturday (30) that the Defense Department was planning to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to 40 inmates at the Guantanamo military prison, citing a lack of vaccinations as a reason for federal prosecutors to hold war crimes hearings at the base.
Medical workers and some soldiers stationed at the U.S. military base at Guantanamo Bay have been vaccinated since August, and 6,000 residents of the base are lined up for the vaccination, but the prisoners are not believed to be among them.
Currently, 40 convicts are being held at the U.S. military prison near Cuba, at Guantanamo Bay, including Mohammed, who masterminded the worst terrorist attack on U.S. soil on Sept. 11, 2001, which killed 2,977 people.
New President Biden, who took office on the 20th, has made vaccination a priority, announcing plans to vaccinate 100 million Americans within 100 days of taking office.
But the U.S. is facing a domestic vaccine supply shortage, and the Biden Administration has warned that the vaccine shortage will continue until 2021. The Biden administration has also scrapped the Trump-era vaccine stockpile policy that was a backup for people avoiding a second dose of the vaccine.
Currently, states such as New York are complaining about vaccine stockpiles bottoming out and some states are canceling mass vaccination programs. The cancellation of COVID-19 vaccine appointments for thousands of teachers in New York City was announced on the 26th due to reduced vaccine supplies and scheduling errors.
Republicans and 9/11 Survivors Oppose Prioritizing Vaccinations for Serious Suspects
Republicans and 9/11 survivors are outraged that the Department of Defense is prioritizing early vaccinations for suspects in military prisons.
Republican Elise Stefanik, a U.S. Representative from New York, said, “It is inexcusable and un-American that President Biden chose to prioritize terrorists convicted at Guantanamo Bay over vulnerable older Americans or veterans.”
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) tweeted, “President Biden told us he would have a plan to defeat the virus on day one. But he never told us that (the plan) was to vaccinate terrorists before the majority of Americans and on a priority basis.”
Brian Sullivan, a retired Federal Aviation Administration special security officer, told the New York Post, “I’m furious. It’s totally beyond outrage. I’m 75 years old. I haven’t gotten the COVID vaccine. They’re about to give it to (9/11 prime suspect) Mohammed?”
Sullivan added that it’s a scandal that it’s almost the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks and these terrorists have not been brought to justice. “This news (of giving criminals priority for inoculation) is adding insult to injury. It’s a slap in the face of the families of the 9/11 victims,” Sullivan said.
“This year will be the 20th anniversary, and the terrorists are still in Guantanamo. And now we’re giving them the COVID vaccine. This is insane.” He added.
Michael O’Connell, a retired lieutenant with the New York Federal Fire Marshal’s Office, worked in search and rescue when the World Trade Center collapsed. He has since developed sarcoidosis, an immune disorder.
“It’s really a kick in the pants. It’s very sad and very disgusting.” He said.
“These terrorists commit crimes of harm, but leave patriots as people who have to wait to be vaccinated. When the first plane hit the building, we responded in 10 seconds. Now we have to wait a year (from the earliest word of the outbreak) after politicians can’t play that way on the coronavirus (Chinese communist virus) vaccine.” O’Connell added.
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