Defense Secretary Austin canceled a plea agreement reached earlier this week
Pentagon revokes plea deal for 9/11 plotters
Fox News’ Marianne Rafferty has the latest on the plea deal that Pentagon prosecutors agreed to with three of the terrorists behind the Sept. 11 terror attacks.
In a surprising move on Friday, the Biden-Harris administration reversed a plea deal previously made with three terrorists involved in the Sept. 11 attacks. These terrorists had been awaiting trial at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. There was significant national outrage as these deals had removed the possibility of the death penalty for the accused. Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III revoked the agreements in a strongly-worded memo.
Secretary Austin is now leading the case against 9/11 mastermind Khalid Shaikh Mohammad, along with Walid Muhammad Salih Mubarak Bin ‘Attash and Mustafa Ahmed Adam al Hawsawi. In his order, Austin dismissed the official responsible for the military commission who had authorized the initial plea agreements.
His directive stated, “Effective immediately, in the exercise of my authority, I hereby withdraw from the three pretrial agreements that you signed on July 31, 2024.”
Khalid Shaikh Mohammad, accused mastermind of the 9/11 terror attacks. (AP)
No reasons were provided as to why this issue wasn’t resolved before the agreements were finalized and made public.
The House Armed Services Committee announced an investigation into the plea deals. Chairman Mike Rogers, R.-La., described the deals as “unconscionable,” expressing deep shock and anger over the situation. He indicated that the news felt like a “gut punch” to the families of the victims.
Following the backlash, the White House clarified that President Biden had no involvement in these plea deals. A White House National Security Council spokesperson explained, “The White House learned yesterday that the Convening Authority for Military Commissions entered into pretrial agreements, negotiated by military prosecutors, with KSM and other 9/11 defendants. The President and the White House played no role in this process.” White House national security spokesman John Kirby reiterated this on Fox News Channel, stating that the administration was unaware of the deals until announced.
The president had rejected a previous proposal last year that would have removed the death penalty for these suspects. Victims’ groups voiced both immediate relief upon hearing about the revocation and continued frustration with the entire process. Patrick Hendry, president of the Police Benevolent Association of the City of New York, shared that this move offered significant relief to the families of the victims.
“The families of our 9/11 heroes channeled their anguish and outrage into a powerful message. It’s thanks to their courage that these shameful plea agreements have been reversed. We are relieved and grateful, but the job is not done yet,” Hendry commented. He emphasized the importance of these terrorists receiving the death penalty.
Brett Eagleson, president of 9/11 Justice, stated, “We are astounded and deeply frustrated that our families were not consulted or even notified in advance of the plea deal or its subsequent revocation.” He highlighted the need for full accountability and truth about the 9/11 attacks.
“Our quest for truth and justice remains unwavering. We demand that the administration ensures these individuals provide vital information regarding the 9/11 attacks, including the extent of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s involvement. The American people and the families of the nearly 3,000 victims deserve to know every detail. This decision should not hinder our efforts to hold those responsible, including the Saudi government, accountable for their roles in this horrific tragedy.”
“9/11 Justice will continue to fight relentlessly until we uncover the full truth and secure justice for the victims and their families. The revocation of these plea deals must lead to greater transparency and accountability, ensuring that no stone is left unturned in our pursuit of justice.”
The accused terrorists are alleged to have provided training, finances, and other support to the 19 hijackers who carried out the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. These attacks, which resulted in nearly 3,000 deaths, are the deadliest terror attack on U.S. soil.
Families of the victims reacted with outrage upon learning of the initial deals.
