The George W. Bush Administration’s Lesson for the Trump Era
They circumvented the law to persecute alleged September 11 perpetrators. It backfired.
The George W. Bush administration's actions in the wake of the September 11 attacks carry important lessons for the Trump era. One significant outcome is the delay in trying Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the alleged mastermind of 9/11. While the judge set a trial date for 2028, a recent ruling invalidates a confession Mohammed made in 2007, obtained through what U.S. officials call "enhanced interrogation techniques" or torture.
The Bush administration justified these actions due to the severity of the attacks, uncertainty about the law's application in a "War on Terror," and the urgency of preventing further attacks. However, this approach ultimately slowed down the pursuit of justice. A second lesson is that the consequences of these decisions may not become apparent for years.
The Trump administration's emphasis on speed over rules has led to similar problems, such as a botched renovation of the Reflecting Pool. These shortcuts may have immediate gains but often result in long-term setbacks. Finally, the importance of accountability cannot be overstated. Obama's administration initially focused on moving forward without investigating Bush-era misconduct, but this led to a culture of impunity.
It is crucial for any administration to learn from the past and ensure that wrongdoing is addressed, even if it means facing difficult decisions.
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