Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-Westchester/Rockland) sent U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder a letter yesterday in which she objected to considering holding the trial of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, also known as the 9/11 mastermind, in White Plains' Federal Courthouse, according to a press release.

The idea has been thrown around since the Obama administration started considering moving the trial out of Manhattan due to growing opposition and pressure. In response, White Plains Mayor Adam T. Bradley was quoted in the Jan. 28 edition of The New York Times as saying, "I think we need to be realistic. Once you've placed it in a place like White Plains, you've made the city an automatic target, and everything located in it."

In her letter Lowey expresses concern over local opposition; safety and security in and around the courthouse; the potential cost incurred by White Plains and the entire county; and the impact on the area's businesses, families, and individuals.

Below is the full letter.

Dear Attorney General Holder:

 I strongly object to any consideration of the federal courthouse in White Plains, New York, as a site for the trial of Khalid Shaikh Mohammed.

 As in New York City, local opposition to shifting the trial to White Plains is strong, including opposition from Mayor Adam Bradley. Separated by less than 30 miles, the distance between White Plains and lower Manhattan is not great enough to mitigate the threats to the region that have already been raised.

 Further, the scenario for securing a terrorist such as Khalid Shaikh Mohammed in a facility and city unaccustomed to handling such high-profile threats raises many questions that I feel cannot be adequately addressed, including: Would the federal government be responsible for the entire bill for security preparations and precautions taken by local governments? Would Mohammed be both housed and tried at the courthouse in White Plains? Who would be primarily responsible for security of the structure and surrounding area, including the New York City area? Would local businesses surrounding the courthouse be forced to close for security precautions? Would all vehicle traffic in and around the area be subject to search?

 As the County Seat for Westchester County, any trial in this location could disturb the lives of area residents of White Plains as well as County government operations.

 As a member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, I have fought to provide first responders with the tools, equipment and training necessary to respond to security threats in the Hudson Valley. While I have tremendous confidence in the local first responders, the fact remains that they do not have enough personnel or equipment to provide security for a trial of this magnitude.

 Further, concerns already exist over the security and evacuation procedures for known targets in the region, including the Indian Point Energy Center in Buchanan, New York. New York State, Westchester County and former Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator James Lee Witt have all indicated that a large-scale evacuation of this region, if necessary, would be nearly impossible. Therefore increasing this risk, and the possible risk of attack at other sites in the Hudson Valley, cannot be justified.

 While I support the Administration's efforts to bring Mohammed to justice, I strongly object to any proposal that places the citizens of New York at risk.

 I look forward to your prompt response on this matter.

                                                                                                Sincerely. 

                                                                                                Nita M. Lowey

                                                                                                Member of Congress