“In addition to the Department of Justice’s role in handling detainee-related litigation, it is important for the Department of Justice to have an up-to-date understanding of current operations,” department spokesman Ian Prior said in a statement. “The purpose of the trip is to gain that understanding by meeting with the people on the ground who are leading our government-wide efforts at GTMO.”

But the statement also mentioned recent terrorist attacks in Europe and elsewhere, which have been carried out by ISIS.

“Keeping this country safe from terrorists is the highest priority of the Trump administration,” Prior said. “Recent attacks in Europe and elsewhere confirm that the threat to our nation is immediate and real, and it remains essential that we use every lawful tool available to prevent as many attacks as possible.”