"Last Week Tonight with John Oliver" focused on a subject most people forget unless they are talking about terrorists incarcerated stateside: Guantanamo Bay. In his weekly show, the host discussed in length the situation of the incarcerated in the infamous prison as well as why was the promise of closing it goes unfulfilled to this day.
According to Time, the host cited President Barack Obama's plan in closing down the prison even before winning the office. To this day the prison in Cuba is still open and it currently houses 61 prisoners. Although there used to be a lot more prisoners in Guantanamo, closing the prison even with a small number of prisoners could pose a challenge.
One of the biggest challenges, according to Oliver is public opinion. A recent survey shows that 52% of Americans don't want to close down the prison and there are public officials calling for greater utilization especially in using the facility against possible terrorists.
But aside from public opinion, Oliver revealed that the US government has to answer some serious questions regarding the prisoners held in Guantanamo. Out of 61 prisoners, 31 are neither charged nor cleared for release, 20 are set to be released but still on hold since the US government is still trying to determine which country should receive them and the rest are still under military trial.
The prisoners who are neither charged nor cleared present the biggest legal challenge to the US government. The country has been under fire by various nations including Russia as they see this practice as "medieval" according to Newsweek.
Before the segment ended, Oliver revealed why it is very important that the facility should be closed down as soon as possible. According to Oliver, Donald Trump promised to put more people in Guantanamo and theoretically, he could put anyone there including Oliver.
"Last Week Tonight with John Oliver" offers a glimpse on the murky legal situation of Guantanamo Bay. However, he urges the government to close down the facility or face the possibility of a president that could jail anyone on whim would ultimately abuse his power.
Watch the entire segment here:
