Trump wants death penalty for New York truck attacker

Last updated: November 2, 2017 at 12:33 pm

President Donald Trump has demanded that the death penalty is considered when prosecutors go after Sayfullo Saipov, who is accused for mowing down more than 20 people in New York City this week.

Trump has already seized on the deadly attack, which left eight dead and 12 injured, to call for tighter immigration laws in the United States.

Saipov, 29, is from Uzbekistan and legally entered the country. The president is now hoping to end that visa programme.

He faces several federal terrorism charges, and Saipov apparently told investigators he “felt good” about the attack, which he had been planning for a year. He says he was inspired by the Islamic State terrorist group.

In a tweet, a seemingly angry Commander-in-Chief wrote that the suspect “SHOULD GET DEATH PENALTY”.

As the charges are federal, the government can override New York state’s ban on capital punishment.

NYC terrorist was happy as he asked to hang ISIS flag in his hospital room. He killed 8 people, badly injured 12. SHOULD GET DEATH PENALTY!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 2, 2017

Trump also said that he would consider sending Saipov to the US naval base prison on Guantanamo Bay. No detainee has been sent here since 2008.

But this morning he tweeted again, stating that it may be more difficult to send him to the Guantanamo as "statistically that process takes much longer than going through the Federal system."

WIC News understands that this process has never been undertaken before so it is unclear which statistics the president is referring to.

A White House spokesman later said that the suspect’s legal rights have been altered as Trump considers him an “enemy combatant.”

Planned and practiced

The Uzbek immigrant appeared in court yesterday surrounded by guards, handcuffed and with his feet shackled.

He was in a wheelchair, having been shot in the abdomen when apprehended by police.

Would love to send the NYC terrorist to Guantanamo but statistically that process takes much longer than going through the Federal system...

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 2, 2017

Court papers show that he asked to display an Islamic State flag in his hospital room.

[caption id="attachment_7307" align="alignright" width="300"] ©Kena Betancur/Getty Images[/caption]

Officials said that the suspect picked Halloween for the attack in lower Manhattan as he knew more people would be outside.

He had previously hired trucks, a method decided on only two moths prior to Tuesday’s attack, for practice attempts.

John Miller, deputy New York police commissioner for intelligence, said Saipov appears to have followed the instructions issued by Islamic State.