Gov. Tim Pawlenty called on Attorney General Eric Holder to resign over the first civilian trial of a Guantanamo detainee who was acquitted on all but one charge.
During an interview with Hugh Hewitt, a conservative talk radio host, Pawlenty said President Obama and the Justice Department "made a huge mistake" trying Ahmed Ghailani in civilian court.
Ghailani was acquitted of 284 or 285 charges connected to the 1998 U.S. embassy bombings in East Africa. He was convicted of conspiracy to destroy government property, and faces 20 years to life, but was acquitted of 224 counts of murder.
"You know, I think Eric Holder and the Justice Department made a fundamental mistake, and they put the country, almost put the country at risk, and may still have done it if they continue down this path. And I don't think you can just stay in that position and have those kinds of outcomes," Pawlenty said.
"That's a yes," Hewitt said, referring to his initial question if Holder should resign.
"Yes," Pawlenty responded.
Pawlenty, openly considering a 2012 White House bid, also said that he believes Obama has "a very naive view of foreign policy."
(h/t Politico)
