Donald Trump has signed an executive order to keep Guantanamo Bay open.
News broke during his State of the Union address that the president would keep the controversial military prison open despite years of reported abuses and human rights violations.
It was believed that Trump would make the announcement at some point while addressing the country. ABC News reported that Trump would issue an order “that retains the U.S. right to move new detainees to the facility if warranted.”
Trump’s executive order rescinds a separate 2009 order signed by former President Barack Obama that mandated the prison be closed “as soon as practicable.”
Through the order, Trump will also reportedly permit Secretary of Defense James Mattis to allow the military to pick up alleged international terrorist and send them to the facility.