The stunning overturning of a plea deal Friday for the mastermind of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and his accomplices drew praise and calls for justice from victims’ groups and Republican lawmakers.
“The Biden-Harris Administration is right to reverse course after receiving letters from @GOPoversight and @HASCRepublicans saying they will open an investigation into this terrible plea deal,” House Speaker Mike Johnson, Republican of Louisiana, posted on X after reports broke that Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin had backed away from the plea deal.
“Now is the time to deliver long-awaited justice to the families of the 9/11 victims,” he said.
Pentagon prosecutors stoked public outrage on Thursday when they announced plea deals with Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, Walid Muhammad Saleh Mubarak bin Attash and Mustafa Ahmed Adam Al Hawsawi, who are awaiting trial in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Terms of the deals were not disclosed, but family members of the three 9/11 victims were told by the Office of Military Commissions (OMC) that the death sentences had been overturned. New York Post report.
Biden-Harris Administration Rescinds Plea Deal for 9/11 Terrorists
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has withdrawn the plea deals he offered to the masterminds of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. (Ian Waldie/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
The World Trade Center attack was the deadliest terrorist attack in U.S. history, leaving nearly 3,000 people dead. Families of the victims, groups representing them, and lawmakers expressed confusion and anger that those who planned the attack may not be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. The House Oversight and Armed Services committees each announced investigations into the plea deal. Armed Services Chairman Mike Rogers (R-Alabama) called the plea deal “unjust.”
However, the agreement was rescinded when Austin fired the heads of the military committee that had signed the agreement and took power for himself.
“I am exercising my authority to immediately revoke the three pretrial agreements signed on July 31, 2024,” the chief wrote in a brief memo on Friday.
The defense secretary did not explain why he did not intervene before the plea agreement was signed and made public.
9/11 mastermind and two others reach plea deal while awaiting trial, leaving victims’ families “deeply disappointed”
Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, accused of masterminding the 9/11 terrorist attacks. (Associated Press)
Still, his swift change of policy was praised by 9/11 Families United, a group that represents families and survivors of the victims of the Sept. 11 attacks.
“Secretary Austin is showing American strength with this decision that America will not negotiate with terrorists,” said Terry Strada, national director of the 9/11 Families Coalition. “The media has amplified our cries for justice. And the same mercy will be given to the three Guantanamo Bay detainees who murdered my husband. That means no mercy to anyone.”
She called on Congress to pass the Ensuring Justice for Victims of Terrorism Act, which would allow families of terrorism victims to seek financial compensation from foreign sponsors of terrorism.
“We need to send a similarly strong message to those who support terrorism: if they harm Americans on U.S. soil, they will be held accountable in U.S. courts, and justice will be served,” Strada said.
Family of 9/11 victims reacts to terrorism defendant’s plea deal: ‘Lifelong pain and suffering’
9/11 Memorial Lights on the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City. (Fox News Photo/Joshua Cummins)
Several Republican lawmakers in New York praised the defense secretary’s decision but called for Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and the other Sept. 11 terrorists to be charged and receive the maximum sentence.
“I thank Secretary Austin for listening to my colleagues and making the right decision. Failing to hold terrorists accountable for the atrocities they commit is an insult to the families of the victims and sends the wrong message to our adversaries,” said Rep. Brandon Williams of New York.
Rep. Nicole Malliotakis of New York called on Pentagon prosecutors to move quickly on the case.
“Great,” she posted on X. “Nothing less than pursuing the death penalty is acceptable. Thank you to everyone who spoke out for real justice, not a sweet deal for terrorists. Now let’s set a trial date.”
Family furious over plea deals taken by alleged 9/11 mastermind and two others: “We need this to be heard in court”
Thick smoke rises into the sky from where the World Trade Center once stood, below and to the left of the Statue of Liberty, on Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001. (AP Photo/Daniel Halsheiser)
Congressman Anthony D’Esposito echoed the call, saying, “Now is the time for Secretary Austin and President Biden to move quickly to execute the terrorists and bring justice to the families of the 9/11 victims, ending this 23-year nightmare.”
Top Democrats, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York, have not commented on the plea deal or the overturning of Austin’s sentence. The White House referred Fox News Digital to the Pentagon for comment.
Other victims’ groups were also swift to respond to the agreement and the Biden-Harris administration’s shift in policy.
Patrick Hendry, president of the New York City Police Benevolent Association, told Fox News that this will come as a huge relief to the families of victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Lawmakers, families of 9/11 victims react to plea deal with terrorists: ‘A slap in the face’
Suspected al-Qaida terrorist Khalid Sheikh Mohammed is shown in this photo released by the FBI in Washington, DC, on October 10, 2001. Mohammed was arrested at his home in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. (Getty Images)
“The families of our 9/11 heroes channeled their anguish and anger into a powerful message. Thanks to their courage, these shameful plea deals have been overturned,” Hendry said.
“We are relieved and grateful, but the job is not done. As we have said from the beginning, these terrorists who took the lives of so many innocent people must receive the ultimate punishment. The security of our nation demands it, and the families of the victims, who have suffered long and hard, deserve even more.”
Brett Eagleson, chairman of the 9/11 Justice Commission, said the commission was “surprised and deeply disappointed” that victims’ families were not informed or consulted about the plea agreement or its subsequent reversal.
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“These monsters need to be forced to share all information they have about the attack and be held fully accountable for the murder of our loved ones. This is not just a matter of punishment, it’s a matter of the truth being revealed in full,” Eagleson said.
“Our commitment to truth and justice remains unwavering. We call on the Administration to ensure that these individuals provide critical information about the 9/11 attacks, including the extent of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s involvement. The American people and the families of the approximately 3,000 victims have a right to know every detail. This decision should not derail our efforts to hold those responsible, including the government of Saudi Arabia, accountable for their role in this terrible tragedy.”
He called for the reversal of those plea deals to “increase transparency and accountability.”
The Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Stephanie Price of Fox News Digital and Bill Mears of Fox News contributed to this report.
