South-Carolina
Guantánamo Bay is still open. This week, pressure ramped up to close it
It was 22 years ago this week that the U.S. opened a military prison in Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, to hold suspected terrorists after the 9/11 attacks.
That prison remains open today.
It still holds 30 men, many of whom have never been criminally charged, and there has still been no 9/11 trial.
So this week, a group of nearly 100 advocacy organizations sent a letter to President Biden urging him to finally close the facility.
One of them is the Center for Victims of Torture. Its director of global policy and advocacy, Scott Roehm, talks to NPR’s Sacha Pfeiffer about why the prison is still open, and what is happening with the long-awaited 9/11 trial.
This interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity.
Interview highlights
Sacha Pfeiffer: Resistance to closing Guantánamo has generally been Republican-led, but that’s fading the further away we get from 9/11. So why do you think the Biden administration hasn’t made closing Gitmo more of a priority?
Scott Roehm: I think it’s largely been a lack of courage and a lack of priority. There weren’t nearly enough transfers out of Guantánamo. The administration released a handful of men earlier in the year, and then the transfers stopped. These are men that all of the agencies in the U.S. government with a significant national security function have agreed, unanimously, should be released. They no longer need to continue to be held. Their detention doesn’t serve a national security purpose. In most cases, these decisions were made years ago.
Pfeiffer: We should note that these are often referred to as “forever prisoners” — people held in indefinite detention even when, as you said, they’re sometimes cleared for release, but still are held because the administration is trying to find countries to take them, so they languish.
Roehm: That’s right. I think it’s hard to imagine that the State Department couldn’t find a single country in the world willing to receive some of these cleared-for-release men. And so it appears they’re continuing to languish at Guantánamo because that’s what senior-most administration officials chose to do.
Joe Raedle / Getty Images
/
Getty Images
Pfeiffer: One big obstacle to closing Guantánamo is these “forever prisoners” languishing even though they’ve been cleared for release. Another big obstacle is that the 9/11 trial is hopelessly gridlocked — years and years of pretrial proceedings that many people think will never lead to a trial. There had been settlement talks underway to try to get the defendants to plead guilty in return for life in prison — what we assumed would be life in prison. But last summer, the Biden administration derailed that process by rejecting some proposed conditions of the deal. What did you think when you heard that?
Listen to All Things Considered each day here or on your local member station for more interviews like this.
Roehm: This has been called the most important criminal case in U.S. history. And yet, for 16 years, the case has been spinning its wheels haplessly, this kind of rusty hamster wheel of injustice. And it’s still years away even from a trial. A plea agreement is, realistically, the only way to resolve the case with some measure of justice and finality for victim family members at this point, and that’s because the prosecution is built largely on quicksand. Almost all of the government’s evidence that it would use in order to convict the men is based on torture.
Why did the administration reject a plea deal? As with most things Guantánamo, the answer is probably political. More specifically, I would guess a fear that there would be some public opposition to a plea agreement. If that’s the reason, it is as misguided as it is disheartening. There will always be mixed reaction to anything that involves Guantánamo. There can’t be perfect solutions to closing a place that’s been so broken in so many complex ways for so long. It really comes down to the administration mustering some courage to make good on the president’s promise.
John Moore / Getty Images
/
Getty Images
Pfeiffer: Scott, three previous presidents have not shut down Guantánamo. How hopeful — or not — are you that your letter will actually influence the Biden administration’s decision-making on Guantánamo?
Roehm: I certainly hope it will. If this is the path we’re on, then I’m pessimistic. But it doesn’t have to be the path we’re on. This could change tomorrow, and I’m hopeful that it will. And we’ll do everything we can to try to convince the administration that that’s the right thing to do.
Copyright 2024 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.
Sooners On SI will break down Oklahoma’s 2026 schedule, opponent by opponent, for a series dubbed “Know Your Foe.” You can look forward to an opponent breakdown each day. Catch up by checking out the preview for the Mississippi State Bulldogs.
Former Oklahoma assistant coach Shane Beamer finds himself on shaky ground heading into 2026. This is a make-or-break year for Beamer, whose South Carolina squad retained a great deal of talent while also adding some exciting names.
For Beamer, it could very well come down to how his team performs in his second game in Norman as an opposing head coach.
How the Sooners enter their third consecutive matchup with the Gamecocks could very well tell us how the rest of the 2026 season is going to go. South Carolina is banking on experience to extend Beamer’s future.
How will the Sooners fare against the Gamecocks? But first, some history.
Past Battles
South Carolina has been sort of a spotlight game for Oklahoma in their initial two seasons in the SEC.
In 2024, following their second loss of the season, the Sooners returned to Norman with their sights set on rebounding with a win to set up a strong finish. Those hopes were dashed immediately when the Gamecocks scored 21 points in the blink of an eye, leading to a comfortable victory. OU’s season would not rebound.
2025 saw the Sooners in a similar spot. After losing their first game of the season to Texas, OU traveled to Columbia for the first time ever hoping to rebound. They didjust that—setting them up to have an opportunity for a strong finish.
Returning Starters
The dynamic LaNorris Sellers returned to Columbia despite rumors speculating that he may try and find greener pastures elsewhere. This was more than good news for Beamer. Sellers’ big play ability keeps defensive coordinators up at night.
Wide receiver Nyck Harbor followed suit by returning to South Carolina as well. Harbor gives Sellers and the USC offense a gamebreaking factor that pairs well with Sellers’ capabilities. Last year, Harbor scored six touchdowns and had three games of 100 or more yards receiving.
Edge rusher Dylan Stewart—who OU was able to avoid last year following a hip injury sustained early in the first quarter—also announced he would return for a final season of college ball. At 6-6, 250 pounds, Stewart projects as one of the more talented defensive players in the country.
New Faces
With 25 new players via the transfer portal, Beamer left no stone unturned to try and right the wrongs of 2025.
After sitting out the last two seasons due to injuries and some legal trouble, Jayden Gibson landed in Columbia to attempt to revive his career. When he was healthy in 2023, Gibson proved to be a valuable pass catcher with his size and hands.
Big 6-5 tight end Max Drag chose to play for the Gamecocks following a career jumping from Appalachin State to UCF. Drag was primarily used as a blocker, which bodes well for USC’s QB-run oriented attack.
Linebacker Kelby Collins came in from Alabama. In a rotational role, Collins earned two sacks and three tackles for loss last year. Oklahoma saw Collins twice in 2025.
Key Departures
Edge rusher Byrant Thomas Jr. entered the draft, taking away USC’s one-two punch at defensive end. Thomas’ blend of size and speed made him a force on the defensive line for South Carolina.
Big play pass catcher Vandrevious Jacobs took his 17 yards per catch talents to South Beach to play for the Miami Hurricanes.
Tight end Michael Smith was on his way to a promising start of his Gamecock career following a solid true freshman outing in 2024, but was limited last season due to injuries.
Schedule Placement
For OU, the back half of their schedule begins after hosting USC. With two tough home games bookended by two tough road games, Oklahoma’s matchup with the Gamecocks could prove pivotal for how the rest of the season goes.
If the Sooners navigated their initial brutal three games of Michigan, Georgia and Texas well, then by the time they’ve made it to late October, the Gamecocks should only serve to provide Oklahoma as a final open-book test sort of matchup.
But if OU goes 1-2 or worse in those initial three games, then the Sooners may be fighting for their season’s very life hosting the Gamecocks.
USC finds OU on the crucible section of their schedule. The Gamecocks travel to Knoxville the week before Norman, only to then play Texas A&M, Arkansas, Georgia and Clemson.
South Carolina women’s basketball starting guard Tessa Johnson was not listed on the injury report Feb. 28 for the Gamecocks’ final regular-season game at Kentucky.
Johnson was practicing on Feb. 27 after missing the 112-71 win over Missouri, but coach Dawn Staley wouldn’t confirm her status for the next game.
No. 3 South Carolina (28-2, 14-1) travels to play No. 18 Kentucky (21-8, 8-7 SEC) on March 1 (2 p.m. ET, SEC Network) to close the regular season.
South Carolina called it an “upper body contusion” on social media not long after she was listed as out on the SEC injury report that published an hour before tipoff vs Missouri.
Staley joked that media would post on social media that Johnson was practicing with the starters, setting the tone that she isn’t hiding the latest on Johnson’s health.
Johnson is a junior guard averaging 13.1 points and 3.5 rebounds. She leads the SEC in 3-point shooting at 45.5%, which is also eighth in the nation.
Johnson struggled in her two most recent games. She went combined 2-of-13 for six points against Alabama and Ole Miss, just after going 8-of-13 for 21 points against LSU.
Staley said sophomore reserve post/center Adhel Tac is day to day dealing with a lower leg injury. Tac hasn’t played since Feb. 5. She’s still using a medical scooter to move around and has been sitting out practices. She was listed as out again vs Kentucky.
Tessa Johnson injury update, status for Kentucky
The Wildcats have talented guards who can score and defend, in addition to post players like 6-foot-5 center Clara Strack, who averages 16.4 points and 10.2 rebounds. Tonie Morgan scores 14.4 points and dishes a nation-high 8.3 assists a game.
Johnson is third in the nation in 3-point shooting at 45.5%. By posing a threat behind the arc, players like Joyce Edwards and Madina Okot get more action in the paint.
Raven Johnson hit a career-high four 3-pointers against Missouri and Maddy McDaniel drained two, but there’s no denying how much Johnson elevates the offense.
Lulu Kesin covers South Carolina athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email her at LKesin@usatodayco.com. Follow her on X@Lulukesin and Bluesky@bylulukesin.bsky.social
BLUFFTON, S.C. – Kentucky men’s golf begins the month of March at the Colleton River Collegiate this Sunday and Monday at Colleton River Club (par 72, 7403 yards).
UK joins a 15-team field for the 54-hole event, which will consist of 36 holes of continuous play on Sunday, followed by 18 holes on Monday. An 8 a.m. shotgun start will kick things off on Sunday, while Monday’s final round will begin with another shotgun start, this time at 7:45 a.m.
UK is paired with Indiana, Kansas State and Ohio State for the first day of play.
The Wildcats will utilize the same starting five, albeit in a different order, as was featured at the Watersound Invitational just two weeks ago. There, the Cats finished seventh in a loaded field and found themselves as high as third place during the final nine holes.
Sophomore Jacob Settles had the best showing of his collegiate career, finishing tied for seventh at 5-under par, while senior captain Jack Schoenberger had his highest finish of the season, placing tied for 14th at 2-under.
Jacob Lang, Luke Coyle and Cole Stockard will complete UK’s starting five alongside Settles and Schoenberger, the fourth time in six events the Wildcats have featured this starting unit.
Freshman Cameron Phillips will tee it up as an individual once again after an impressive showing in the same role at the Watersound where he tied for 29th and had two rounds under par.
Fans can follow along with live scoring on the Scoreboard Powered by Clippd website.
Kentucky Lineup:
- Jack Schoenberger: Senior, Alpharetta, Ga
- Jacob Lang: Sophomore, Alvaton, Ky.
- Jacob Settles: Sophomore, Winchester, Ky
- Luke Coyle: Junior, Campbellsville, Ky.
- Cole Stockard: Freshman, Dalton, Ga.
Ind. Cameron Phillips: Freshman, Portsmouth, Ohio
Competing Schools (15): Chattanooga, Cincinnati, ETSU, Indiana, Iowa, Iowa State, Kansas State, Kentucky, Memphis, Michigan State, Minnesota, Missouri, Northwestern, Ohio State, Rutgers
For the latest on UK Men’s Golf follow the Wildcats on X and Instagram @UKmensgolf, and online at ukathletics.com.
Montana Department of Agriculture focusing on innovation in 2026
Huskers/OSU game three canceled
Nevada debuts public option amid federal health care shifts
Former president of NH-based charity sentenced after stealing $350K
Natural Daylight Time: What is it, and why New Jersey should adapt this practice instead
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Indiana Members Credit Union announced as new anchor tenant at Bottleworks District
Video: What the Texas Primary Battle Means for the Midterms
Dems’ potential 2028 hopefuls come out against US strikes on Iran
At least nine killed after Iranian strike on Israel’s Beit Shemesh
Mass shooting at Austin, Texas bar leaves at least 3 dead, 14 wounded, authorities say
Mamdani’s response to Trump’s Iran strike sparks conservative backlash: ‘Rooting for the ayatollah’
-
World4 days agoExclusive: DeepSeek withholds latest AI model from US chipmakers including Nvidia, sources say
-
Massachusetts4 days agoMother and daughter injured in Taunton house explosion
-
Montana1 week ago2026 MHSA Montana Wrestling State Championship Brackets And Results – FloWrestling
-
Denver, CO4 days ago10 acres charred, 5 injured in Thornton grass fire, evacuation orders lifted
-
Louisiana7 days agoWildfire near Gum Swamp Road in Livingston Parish now under control; more than 200 acres burned
-
Technology1 week agoYouTube TV billing scam emails are hitting inboxes
-
Technology1 week agoStellantis is in a crisis of its own making
-
Politics1 week agoOpenAI didn’t contact police despite employees flagging mass shooter’s concerning chatbot interactions: REPORT