The Pentagon on Saturday introduced that it was “pausing” a plan to give COVID-19 vaccinations at Guantanamo Bay — following accusations from Republicans and 9/11 survivors that it was prioritizing terror suspects in excess of Individuals.

“No Guantanamo detainees have been vaccinated,” Defense Department Press Secretary John Kirby tweeted. “We’re pausing the strategy to go forward, as we evaluation pressure defense protocols.  We keep on being committed to our obligations to continue to keep our troops safe and sound.”

GOP REPS SLAM PENTAGON Go TO GIVE COVID-19 VACCINES TO GITMO DETAINEES

Two defense officers had verified to Fox Information the program to supply COVID-19 vaccinations to the 40 detainees at the detention site near Cuba. A absence of vaccinations had reportedly made it tricky for federal prosecutors to shift ahead with war crimes hearings at the base.

The order was signed on Jan. 27 by Terry Adirim, the principal deputy assistant secretary of protection for health affairs who was sworn in as a Biden appointee on Inauguration Day, a Pentagon spokesman explained to the New York Publish.

“It will be administered on a voluntary basis and in accordance with the Department’s precedence distribution plan,” a spokesman advised the outlet.

Detainees at the foundation involve Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, or KSM, the suspected mastermind of the Sept. 11 assaults. It’s unclear how many Guantanamo inmates, if any, have been infected with COVID-19 to day. Vaccinations for healthcare employees and some troops stationed at the base started on Jan. 8. 

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But the shift sparked intense pushback from Republicans and 9/11 survivors.

“It is inexcusable and un-American that President Biden is choosing to prioritize vaccinations for convicted terrorists in Gitmo in excess of susceptible American seniors or veterans,” Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-NY, reported Saturday.

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“President Biden advised us he would have a program to defeat the virus on day 1,” Dwelling Minority Chief Kevin McCarthy tweeted. “He just by no means informed us that it would be to give the vaccine to terrorists right before most People.”

“You cannot make this up. The ridiculousness of what we get from our authorities. They will run the vaccine down to people lowlifes at Guantanamo Bay prior to just about every resident of the United States of The usa receives it is the theater of the absurd,” Tom Von Essen, who was metropolis fireplace commissioner in the course of 9/11, instructed the Post.

Fox News’ Lucas Tomlinson and Thomas Barrabi contributed to this report.



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