Fighting Terrorism

Uphold the 9/11 Doctrine

I support the doctrine, adopted after 9/11, that holds accountable any nation that promotes terror or harbors terrorists. That means we can no longer support regimes, even friendly ones, which preach extremism that inspires terror. We are defending ourselves against radical jihadists, and we cannot hide that fact nor hope to appease terror by sacrificing American values, interests or allies.

Victory in Afghanistan

I support the effort to win the war in Afghanistan. We cannot allow Afghanistan to fall once again into the hands of the Taliban and terror groups. Our intelligence services must also be allowed to do their work without political interference. I will oppose politicized prosecutions of intelligence agents who were acting within the law as they understood it and in a time of great danger.

Defend Civil Liberties

I will stand up for civil liberties in the fight against terror. I oppose the use of torture, as well as extraordinary renditions to countries where torture is routine. I also oppose any attempt to move terror detainees captured on foreign battlefields to Illinois or any other state, and believe they must be tried by military commissions, not civilian courts. We must not endanger American liberties by rewarding terrorists.