The Pentagon has revoked a plea deal that had taken the death penalty off the table for three 9/11 terrorists, drawing widespread criticism and outrage from victims' families and lawmakers.
In a stunning reversal, the Pentagon has revoked a plea deal that would have spared three terrorists involved in the 9/11 attacks from the death penalty. The deal, which was met with national outrage, has been withdrawn by Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III in a terse memo.
The deal was struck between Pentagon prosecutors and three of the 9/11 plotters currently awaiting trial at the Guantanamo Bay detention camp: Khalid Shaikh Mohammad, Walid Muhammad Salih Mubarak Bin 'Attash, and Mustafa Ahmed Adam al Hawsawi. It had drawn sharp criticism from victims' families, who expressed outrage that the individuals responsible for killing nearly 3,000 people would be spared the ultimate punishment.
Pentagon Reversal: Plea Deals for 9/11 Plotters Withdrawn
In his order, Secretary Austin relieved the official in charge of the military commission who had signed off on the original plea deals. The letter from the Secretary of Defense reads, "Effective immediately, in the exercise of my authority, I hereby withdraw from the three pretrial agreements that you signed on July 31, 2024."
No explanation was given for why the Pentagon waited until now to withdraw the deals, which were already signed and publicly released. The move is seen as a significant victory for victims' groups and lawmakers who had condemned the agreement.
Pentagon Reversal: Plea Deals for 9/11 Plotters Withdrawn
The powerful House Armed Services Committee had earlier announced an investigation into the plea deals, calling them "unconscionable." Chairman Mike Rogers, R.-La., expressed shock and anger, stating that the deal was a "gut punch" to victims' families.
On Thursday, the White House claimed that President Biden "played no role" in the process. The White House National Security Council spokesperson told Fox News Digital that the President and the White House were not involved in the decision.
However, victims' groups have been quick to respond both to the deal and its subsequent revocation. Patrick Hendry, president of the Police Benevolent Association of the City of New York, expressed relief for the families of victims, stating that their outrage had been heard.
Brett Eagleson, president of 9/11 Justice, expressed frustration that his organization was not consulted or notified about the plea deal or its revocation. He highlighted the importance of uncovering the full truth about the attacks and holding all those responsible accountable.
The defendants in the 9/11 attacks are accused of providing training, financial support, and other assistance to the hijackers who targeted the World Trade Center, Pentagon, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania. The attacks resulted in the deaths of nearly 3,000 people.
The decision to revoke the plea deals has been welcomed by victims' families and lawmakers alike, who believe that the terrorists should face the full consequences of their actions. The reversal is seen as a step towards ensuring justice and accountability for the victims of the worst terror attack on U.S. soil.
