WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today issued this statement.

“I appreciate President Trump taking the gloves off when it comes to unleashing our military on ISIL.  However, I’m dumbfounded as to why the Trump Administration still follows the Obama playbook when it comes to dealing with terror suspects. 

“If there was ever a candidate to be held as an enemy combatant for intelligence gathering purposes, it is Sayfullo Saipov -- a self-declared ‘Soldier of the Caliphate’.

“If you show support for terrorism, commit an act of terrorism, and say you are a terrorist that should be enough to allow us to treat you as a terrorist.  All the evidence points to the fact he should be characterized as an unlawful enemy combatant -- not a common criminal.  Mr. Saipov is an enemy combatant and should be held as such.” 

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