Terrorist trials

President Barack Obama has sent confusing messages about his plans for the trials of Sept. 11 mastermind Khalid Sheik Mohammed and four other al-Qaida terrorists.

He appears to have backed off a November decision to conduct civilian trials in Manhattan just blocks from the twin towers after vociferous opposition from New York City officials worried about security matters as well as an estimated $200 million cost to the city.

State and federal elected leaders joined the opposition, and President Obama delayed the plan for civilian trials in a federal court. Yet the president did not rule out the possibility that they could be held elsewhere in a civilian court.

The matter has been under review for weeks. Advisers reportedly are ready to recommend a change of course and abandon civilian trials in favor of military commissions. It would be another reversal for President Obama, who has favored civilian trials.

The trials are a step toward the eventual closing of Guantanamo prison, which is still open past the president's announced deadline for closure. Theoretically, it would be replaced with another prison in the United States.

Human rights groups are undoubtedly going to object to military trials anywhere, whether at Guantanamo or a U.S. site, which remains a possibility.

The administration should set aside its objections. The terrorists should be tried in military courts. The terrorists leave no doubt that they believe we are at war — a different type of conflict than previous ones we have encountered, but war nonetheless. Terrorists brought their war to our shores and killed more than 3,000 in multiple attacks. Khalid and his co-conspirators should be held accountable in military courts.