Sen. Lindsey Graham Lindsey Olin GrahamSenate Republicans face tough decision on replacing Ginsburg Democratic senator calls for eliminating filibuster, expanding Supreme Court if GOP fills vacancy What Senate Republicans have said about election-year Supreme Court vacancies MORE (R-S.C.) ripped President Trump's decision not to send the suspect in the New York City terror attack to Guantanamo Bay on Thursday, saying Trump "still follows the Obama playbook" on terror suspects.

“I appreciate President Trump taking the gloves off when it comes to unleashing our military on ISIL. However, I’m dumbfounded as to why the Trump Administration still follows the Obama playbook when it comes to dealing with terror suspects," Graham said in a statement, referring to the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant.

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“If there was ever a candidate to be held as an enemy combatant for intelligence gathering purposes, it is Sayfullo Saipov — a self-declared ‘Soldier of the Caliphate,'" he continued.

“If you show support for terrorism, commit an act of terrorism, and say you are a terrorist that should be enough to allow us to treat you as a terrorist. All the evidence points to the fact he should be characterized as an unlawful enemy combatant — not a common criminal. Mr. Saipov is an enemy combatant and should be held as such," he said.

Graham's comments come after Trump appeared to rule out sending Saipov to the U.S. military prison, saying it would take longer to send him to the prison versus trying him through the federal system. The president also called for Saipov to be executed.

Would love to send the NYC terrorist to Guantanamo but statistically that process takes much longer than going through the Federal system... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 2, 2017

...There is also something appropriate about keeping him in the home of the horrible crime he committed. Should move fast. DEATH PENALTY! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 2, 2017

NYC terrorist was happy as he asked to hang ISIS flag in his hospital room. He killed 8 people, badly injured 12. SHOULD GET DEATH PENALTY! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 1, 2017

The president's comments come a day after he blasted the U.S. justice system's handling of terror suspects, calling the system a "joke" and a "laughing stock."

Legal experts have expressed concerns that the president's comments could potentially taint a jury pool.