Tate Zeigler (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today said he disagreed with the Department of Defense’s characterization of the 2009 shooting at Fort Hood as a case of workplace violence, not terrorism.

 

“I respectfully disagree with the Department of Defense decision to classify the Fort Hood shooting as workplace violence.  It’s not fair to the victims, and their families, for this incident to be described in that manner.

 

“Based upon what we already know, this episode fits squarely into the realm of an act of terrorism.  I will be working with my colleagues in the Senate to challenge this characterization by the Pentagon and push for an accurate description of the tragic incident that took place at Fort Hood.  It was terrorism and it should be described that way.  The difference in characterization between workplace violence and an act of terrorism is meaningful, in a variety of ways, to the victims and their families.

 

“Finally, under military law Major Hasan is presumed innocent.  He will be vigorously defended by counsel and provided due process during his court martial.”

 

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