US Book Exposes Risk of Trump 'Devaluing' Experts in Terror Cases
The US government's decision to prosecute a notorious al-Qaeda operative, Spin Ghul, on foreign soil highlights the country's efforts to combat terrorism. The unprecedented case against Ghul became a template for prosecuting terrorists and was chronicled in CNN anchor Jake Tapper's new book "Race Against Terror."
Tapper's account of Ghul's story reveals how the man claimed to be an al-Qaeda operative who had participated in the deaths of American soldiers, but was initially met with skepticism by US authorities. The FBI eventually built a case against Ghul using evidence gathered from multiple countries, often under harrowing circumstances.
Ghul's trial sparked controversy when he became increasingly hostile and uncooperative towards prosecutors and witnesses. One of the surviving veterans in the case kept a key piece of evidence – a Quran with Ghul's fingerprints – that proved invaluable during the trial.
The book raises questions about Trump's handling of terrorism cases, highlighting concerns over the devaluation of expert counterterrorism prosecutors. Key figures involved in Ghul's case were either fired or sidelined by the Trump administration due to their opposition to his policies.
Tapper expressed his views on the importance of following established procedures for building cases against terrorists and highlighted the risks associated with such actions. "The devaluing of expertise and the placing of politics above all else carries enormous risks," he said, adding that the effort to lock up terrorists forever should be accompanied by a focus on preserving expert counterterrorism prosecutors.
Tapper's book has sparked discussions about how extremism can take root and what Ghul's story can reveal. The anchor emphasized that zealots are often driven by an inflated sense of their roles in history and can be difficult to distinguish from those who are truly insane.
The story highlights the challenges faced by US authorities when dealing with terrorists, particularly in cases where there is a lack of clear evidence or witnesses willing to cooperate. It also raises questions about how Trump's administration has handled terrorism cases, and whether these actions have contributed to the erosion of trust between law enforcement agencies and the community.
Tapper's account of Ghul's case serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in prosecuting terrorists and the risks associated with such efforts.
				
			The US government's decision to prosecute a notorious al-Qaeda operative, Spin Ghul, on foreign soil highlights the country's efforts to combat terrorism. The unprecedented case against Ghul became a template for prosecuting terrorists and was chronicled in CNN anchor Jake Tapper's new book "Race Against Terror."
Tapper's account of Ghul's story reveals how the man claimed to be an al-Qaeda operative who had participated in the deaths of American soldiers, but was initially met with skepticism by US authorities. The FBI eventually built a case against Ghul using evidence gathered from multiple countries, often under harrowing circumstances.
Ghul's trial sparked controversy when he became increasingly hostile and uncooperative towards prosecutors and witnesses. One of the surviving veterans in the case kept a key piece of evidence – a Quran with Ghul's fingerprints – that proved invaluable during the trial.
The book raises questions about Trump's handling of terrorism cases, highlighting concerns over the devaluation of expert counterterrorism prosecutors. Key figures involved in Ghul's case were either fired or sidelined by the Trump administration due to their opposition to his policies.
Tapper expressed his views on the importance of following established procedures for building cases against terrorists and highlighted the risks associated with such actions. "The devaluing of expertise and the placing of politics above all else carries enormous risks," he said, adding that the effort to lock up terrorists forever should be accompanied by a focus on preserving expert counterterrorism prosecutors.
Tapper's book has sparked discussions about how extremism can take root and what Ghul's story can reveal. The anchor emphasized that zealots are often driven by an inflated sense of their roles in history and can be difficult to distinguish from those who are truly insane.
The story highlights the challenges faced by US authorities when dealing with terrorists, particularly in cases where there is a lack of clear evidence or witnesses willing to cooperate. It also raises questions about how Trump's administration has handled terrorism cases, and whether these actions have contributed to the erosion of trust between law enforcement agencies and the community.
Tapper's account of Ghul's case serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in prosecuting terrorists and the risks associated with such efforts.
 
 so like Tappers saying Trumps handling of terrorism is super sketchy
 so like Tappers saying Trumps handling of terrorism is super sketchy  ... Ghuls trial was already super dramatic but addin politics to it?
... Ghuls trial was already super dramatic but addin politics to it?  that's just crazy talk!
 that's just crazy talk!  
  , its clear the US gov is tryin hard to combat terrorism
, its clear the US gov is tryin hard to combat terrorism  ... but do they got the right people on the job?
... but do they got the right people on the job?  I mean, if Ghuls case shows how counterproductive it can be when you put politics over expertise
 I mean, if Ghuls case shows how counterproductive it can be when you put politics over expertise  then we got a bigger problem on our hands
 then we got a bigger problem on our hands  
  ?
? ... like, how can one guy be so slippery? But what really got me is that Trump's team basically dismantled the people who were trying to catch him, just because they didn't fit his narrative
... like, how can one guy be so slippery? But what really got me is that Trump's team basically dismantled the people who were trying to catch him, just because they didn't fit his narrative  . I mean, shouldn't we be working together as a team to keep everyone safe? The whole thing sounds like a recipe for disaster
. I mean, shouldn't we be working together as a team to keep everyone safe? The whole thing sounds like a recipe for disaster  ... and now Tapper's book is out, exposing all the mistakes that were made... it's like, wow, what could have been if those experts had just gotten a chance to do their job without interference
... and now Tapper's book is out, exposing all the mistakes that were made... it's like, wow, what could have been if those experts had just gotten a chance to do their job without interference  . Anyway, I'm just wondering, how do we rebuild trust when our leaders start playing politics with people's lives?
. Anyway, I'm just wondering, how do we rebuild trust when our leaders start playing politics with people's lives?  . It's actually kinda scary how easy it is for someone like Ghul to get away with all this stuff just because he's a 'notorious' figure.
. It's actually kinda scary how easy it is for someone like Ghul to get away with all this stuff just because he's a 'notorious' figure.  .
. . I hope Tapper's book sparks some real conversation about this stuff, 'cause I think we're all gonna need to have a big discussion about how we handle terrorism cases from now on
. I hope Tapper's book sparks some real conversation about this stuff, 'cause I think we're all gonna need to have a big discussion about how we handle terrorism cases from now on  .
. So, Trump's admin was all like "let's just go ahead and try to lock up terrorists forever" without thinking about how that would affect the experts who are actually good at catching these guys. I mean, they sacked people who didn't play ball with them... it's just not right.
 So, Trump's admin was all like "let's just go ahead and try to lock up terrorists forever" without thinking about how that would affect the experts who are actually good at catching these guys. I mean, they sacked people who didn't play ball with them... it's just not right.  What really gets me is that Tapper is saying we need to be careful not to let politics get in the way of doing our jobs. We gotta trust the experts, even if they don't always agree with us.
 What really gets me is that Tapper is saying we need to be careful not to let politics get in the way of doing our jobs. We gotta trust the experts, even if they don't always agree with us. 
 . I mean, what if Ghul had gotten away? We'd be stuck with another 9/11-style attack on our hands
. I mean, what if Ghul had gotten away? We'd be stuck with another 9/11-style attack on our hands 