Taking a different course in his bid to close the terrorist detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, President Obama now says the issue boils down to economics: After reducing the prison’s population to 61 detainees, Mr. Obama says it’s become too expensive to maintain the operation.

“I think the American people should be asking the question, why are we spending this kind of money that could be spent on other things when it’s not necessary for our safety and security?” Obama asked. (This, from a president on whose watch the national debt has springboarded from $10.6 trillion to nearly $20 trillion.)

The more appropriate question is, where does the administration intend to ship the reminder of the worst of the worst detainees?

Not to the United States. Under federal law, Gitmo’s detainees cannot be moved to the U.S., The Washington Examiner reports. Besides, “Contrary to what this administration has repeatedly asserted, emptying and closing Guantanamo would make our country less safe,” said Sen. Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H.

So that leaves transfers to other countries, which have demonstrated abysmal regard in retaining these reprobates. About 30 percent of Gitmo’s ex-detainees have returned to Islamofascism.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest acknowledges pessimism over closing Gitmo, “but we’re in the business of hope around here.” Hope for whom — the detainees or the civilian targets of their hatred?

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