Obama: Gitmo ‘Counterproductive to Our Fight Against Terrorists’

“In our fight against terrorists like al Qaeda and ISIL, we’re using every element of our national power, our military, intelligence, diplomacy, homeland security, law enforcement, federal, state, and local, as well as the example of our ideals as a country that’s committed to universal values, including rule of law and human rights. 

In this fight, we learn and we work to constantly improve. When we find something that works, we keep on doing it. When it becomes clear that something is not working as intended, when it does not advance our security, we have to change course. 

For many years it’s been clear that the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay does not advance our national security. It undermines it. This is not just my opinion. This is the opinion of experts. This is the opinion of many in our military. It’s counterproductive to our fight against terrorists, because they use it as propaganda in their efforts to recruit. 

It drains military resources with nearly $450 million spent last year alone to keep it running and more than $200 million in additional costs needed to keep it open going forward for less than 100 detainees."