President Trump calls NYC suspect an "animal" as the Justice Department begins laying out the charges against him
Federal prosecutors are announcing terrorism charges against the suspect in yesterday's attack in New York City Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York Joon Kim says Sayfullo Saipov [[say-FOOL-oh SAY-pov ]] is charged with material support to a terrorist group, ISIS.
At a press conference, Kim added that Saipov is also facing a charge of violence and destruction of a motor vehicle. And if you’re thinking that two charges are “too few,” not to worry – Bill Sweeney with the FBI said the charges aren't an indication that the investigation is done. He also clarified that the FBI is no longer looking for a man who was identified as a person of interest in the attack.
Meanwhile, at the White House yesterday – President Trump condemned the truck attack and suggested that Saipov got into the U.S. because of a lax immigration system. Mr. Trump added that he will ask Congress to cancel the ‘diversity lottery immigration program’ that Saipov accessed to enter the country. He also argued for a merit-based immigration program.
As for what’s next, President Trump says he would consider sending the New York City attacker to Guantanamo Bay - he'd also like to see the death penalty applied. As you might recall during his 2016 campaign, now-President Trump promised to "load up" Guantanamo Bay in Cuba with some quote – "bad dudes." However, a senior White House official told NBC News there is likely "no legal authority" to send Saipov to Gitmo.