What did Morris Davis do?

Morris Davis: From Guantanamo’s Front Lines to Free Speech Crusader

You might not know the name Morris “Moe” Davis, but his story is a fascinating one, full of twists and turns. He’s a retired Air Force Colonel who once held one of the toughest jobs imaginable: Chief Prosecutor for the Guantanamo Bay military commissions. Think about that for a second – prosecuting suspected terrorists in one of the most controversial places on earth.

Davis took on that role back in September 2005, sticking with it until October 2007. But here’s where the story gets interesting. He didn’t just blindly follow orders. He ended up resigning, making a pretty bold statement about what he thought was right and wrong.

What made him walk away? Waterboarding. The use of it to extract information from detainees didn’t sit well with Davis. He felt it tainted the whole process, making fair trials impossible. Imagine being in his shoes – tasked with upholding justice, but feeling like the rules were being bent, or even broken, to get convictions. He basically said, “I can’t guarantee a fair trial when the folks who authorized torture are calling the shots.” A pretty powerful stance, wouldn’t you agree?

After hanging up his Air Force uniform for good in 2008, Davis didn’t exactly fade into the background. Nope, he became a vocal critic of the very system he used to be a part of. He started writing opinion pieces, laying out his concerns in plain language for anyone to read. He didn’t hold back, sharing his insider’s perspective on what was really going on at Guantanamo.

Now, speaking your mind doesn’t always come without consequences. Davis found that out the hard way. In 2009, he got the axe from his job at the Library of Congress’ Congressional Research Service (CRS). The official reason? His outspoken views on Guantanamo supposedly made it impossible for him to do his job objectively.

But Davis wasn’t having it. He teamed up with the ACLU and sued, arguing that his First Amendment rights were being trampled on. He believed he had the right to speak his mind as a private citizen, and that his opinions on Guantanamo had nothing to do with his work at CRS. It was a classic David vs. Goliath battle, and it went on for years.

Finally, in 2016, they reached a settlement. The Library of Congress paid him $100,000, and, perhaps more importantly, corrected his employment record. It was a victory for free speech, and a testament to Davis’s determination to stand up for what he believed in.

These days, you can find Davis teaching lawyering skills at Howard University School of Law. Talk about a career arc! From prosecuting terrorists to fighting for free speech and educating the next generation of lawyers.

So, the next time you hear about Guantanamo Bay, remember the name Morris Davis. He’s a reminder that even in the most complex and controversial situations, individuals can make a difference by standing up for their principles. His story is a powerful illustration of the ongoing tension between national security and civil liberties, a debate that’s as relevant today as ever.