Steny Hoyer Defends NYC Terror Trials: 'Holder Made the Right Decision'

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), the second-ranking Democrat in the House of Representatives, Tuesday defended Attorney General Eric Holder's recent announcement that Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and other 9/11 masterminds will be tried in a civilian criminal court in New York City rather than before a military tribunal.

"There is bipartisan support for the actions that the attorney general has determined are in the best interests of bringing these heinous acts to justice," Hoyer said. "We are agreed with the attorney general and the president that this can be done consistent with the safety and the security of the United States."

He said military tribunals can work under certain circumstances, but added: "In this case, Holder has made the right decision."

The White House got an unexpected vote of confidence on the controversial decision Monday from conservatives Grover Norquist, Bob Barr and David Keene. In a joint statement, the three said that civilian federal courts are the "proper forum" for terrorism cases.

"We are confident that the government can preserve national security without resorting to sweeping and radical departures from an American constitutional tradition that has served us effectively for over two centuries," the statement said.

Hoyer read from the conservatives' statement at meeting with reporters to show broad ideological support for Holder's decision. "They are not traditionally known as spokesmen for the Democratic Party."