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@ISIDEWITHQuestionsForeign policyStarted 14yrs agoActive 2yrs ago

Should foreign terrorism suspects be given constitutional rights?

In 2002, the George W. Bush administration issued the Torture Memos which argued for a narrow definition of torture under U.S. law. They included granting the CIA authority to use “enhanced interrogation techniques” on enemy combatants. The techniques included waterboarding subjection to extreme cold and confinement in small boxes.

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Answer Overview

Response rates from 9m America voters.

25%
Yes
75%
No
17%
Yes
59%
No
5%
Yes, just like U.S. citizens, terrorists should be given a fair trial in federal courts
9%
No, they should be tried in military tribunals but not subject to torture
3%
Yes, give them a fair trial and shut down Guantanamo Bay
7%
No, they are not U.S. citizens and do not have constitutional rights

Historical Support

Trend of support over time for each answer from 9m America voters.

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Trend of how important this issue is for 9m America voters.

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Other Popular Answers

Unique answers from America voters whose views went beyond the provided options.

 @8LX7Q6W from Ohio  answered…6yrs6Y

Yes but only after they have been closely looked after for a period of time.

 @8XLR4JX  from North Carolina  answered…3yrs3Y

Not constitutional rights since they aren’t citizens, but basic human rights and international law still apply

 @ariff from Arkansas  answered…6yrs6Y

No, they are not US citizens but basic human rights still apply, and only if they are captured in an area under the jurisdiction of U.S. law.

 @52L8D8Zfrom Texas  answered…6yrs6Y

We wouldn't have to answer this question if we weren't legitimizing terror through unfair wars that create people accustomed to suffering and warfare as a norm, and who are living lives filled with terror because of us. This is not the way of Americans and it must stop.

 @9FDLK78 from California  answered…3yrs3Y

Terrorism is horrible and the people committing these acts do not deserve to be treated nicely but torture should not be used unless they tortured others.

 @4RVSBFDfrom District of Columbia  answered…6yrs6Y

USA is a major sponsor of terrorism. We should quit meddling in other nations.

 @4SQWJ65from Florida  answered…6yrs6Y

Is this seriously in consideration? They honestly shouldn't even be considered people. Of course they're not getting constitutional rights.

 @4RV9YSTfrom Florida  answered…6yrs6Y

If they are foreign nationals and trial is brought in the United States or a US territory, then they should be given the same rights to a fair trial, innocent until proven guilty. They should not be considered as US citizens, though. They are foreign nationals and should be privy to the laws that govern foreign nationals within the US and our territories.

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 @ISIDEWITH submitted…2yrs2Y

Elizabeth Warren Walks Back Murder Comments

Congressional Democrats broadly denounced the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson Friday morning, after Republicans started accusing Sen. Elizabeth Warren of excusing violence.“No one's condoning this,” said Rep. Brad Schneider (D-Ill.). “Violence never is the right answer for anything. And it was a horrible murder, a tragic loss for his family.” Warren this week condemned the shooting, but added that people “can be pushed only so far.”"We'll say it over and over," Warren said on MSNBC’S “The ReidOut.” " Violence is never the answer. This guy [Luigi Mangione] gets a trial who's allegedly killed the CEO of UnitedHealth, but you can only push people so far, and then they start to take matters into their own hands."In a statement to POLITICO, Warren said, “Violence is never the answer. Period. I should have been much clearer that there is never a justification for murder.” Top Republicans denounced Warren's comments and the walked-back rhetoric, with House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) calling it “inappropriate and dangerous.”Some House Democrats asked about the incident on Thursday pivoted the conversation to discuss policy options on health care or gun safety.“I don't really know that this is really a space that Congress normally weighs in on,” said Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas). “But at the end of the day, I think it’s an opportunity, because now people are talking about health care and to talk about the fact that this industry has honestly not been as helpful as it could be.”“Violence is never the answer,” said Rep. Troy Carter (D-La.). “We know that there are people suffering, there’s great challenges in healthcare. There's great challenges, and people have, in fact, been wronged, but a process of governance is the way to address that, not violence.”And Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) who denounced the murder, said the killer should be prosecuted and that “I do know that allegedly a ghost gun was used, and we should also ban ghost guns. There's no reason for them beyond the streets.”

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iSideWith. (2026). “Should foreign terrorism suspects be given constitutional rights?” — Public Opinion Poll Results. Retrieved June 25, 2026, from https://www.isidewith.com/polls/46492877

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