"Those who propose transferring Abdulmutallab to military custody for interrogation ignore that he reportedly proffered valuable information immediately upon his arrest. They imply that military interrogation will use "alternative methods of interrogation" that will therefore elicit more accurate and useable information.

We find this implication extremely disturbing.

First, abusive methods of interrogation are not consistent with our values and constitutional principles, and treating some criminal cases differently from others would ultimately result in fundamental changes to our criminal justice system.

Second, they do not work; traditional interrogation techniques have repeatedly been shown to elicit more, and more accurate, information.

We applaud the administration's decision to try Abdulmutallab in federal court, even while we remain troubled by its November announcement that it will try other terror suspects in the flawed military commission process."