The White House has left open the possibility that alleged Sept. 11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed may not be tried in Lower Manhattan as initially planned.

White House Deputy Press Secretary Bill Burton was asked yesterday by a reporter aboard Air Force One if the White House is reconsidering the trial location after New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg expressed concern, reversing his position.

[T]he President is committed to seeing that he's brought to justice, he said, according to a transcript of an informal press meeting published by the White House.

Now, he agrees with the Attorney General's opinion that -- in November -- that he and others can be litigated successfully and securely in the United States of America.

When pressed, Burton referred specifics of the trial, prosecutors and location to the Department of Justice.

Michael bloomberg