Pentagon prosecutors on Friday made a stunning reversal of plea deals with three terrorists behind them. September 11th terrorist attacks They await trial in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
The deal, which sparked national outrage and eliminated the death penalty, was rescinded in a brief memo by Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III.
Secretary of State Austin III is currently leading the investigation into 9/11 masterminds Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, Walid Mohammed Saleh Mubarak bin Attash and Mustafa Ahmed. The case of Adam Hausawi.
Under Austin’s order, Austin fired the officer in charge of the military commission who signed the original plea agreement.
“In exercise of my authority, I hereby revoke the three pretrial agreements you signed on July 31, 2024, effective immediately,” the defense secretary wrote in the letter.
9/11 mastermind, 2 others reach plea deal while awaiting trial; victims’ families ‘very disappointed’
Khalid Shaikh Mohammad, accused mastermind of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. (Associated Press)
There was no explanation as to why the issue was not addressed earlier before the deal was signed and released publicly.
The powerful House Armed Services Committee announced earlier Friday it would launch an investigation into the plea deal, which Chairman Mike Rogers, R-Louisiana, called “unconscionable.”
“I, along with much of our country and Congress, are deeply shocked and outraged by the news that the terrorist mastermind and his associates who orchestrated the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks that killed nearly 3,000 innocent people have received plea deals.” Rogers wrote in the letter, which was first obtained by Fox News Digital. Rogers called news of the transactions “a gut punch” for the victims’ families.
On Thursday, after news of the widely criticized deal broke, the White House claimed that President Biden had “played no role” in the process.
“The White House learned yesterday that the military commission convening body entered into a pretrial agreement negotiated by military prosecutors with KSM and other 9/11 defendants,” a White House National Security Council spokesperson told Fox Digital News. “The President and the White House have played no role in this process. The President has directed his team to consult with Department of Defense officials and attorneys as appropriate on this matter.” White House national security spokesman John Kirby reiterated that the White House told Fox News He played no role in Dow’s plea agreement, adding that the government had “no knowledge” of the agreements before they were announced.
The president last year rejected a proposal to spare three suspects the death penalty.
Victims groups quickly responded to the agreement, and Austin’s quick about-face, by revoking the agreement. Patrick Hundley, president of the New York City Police Benevolent Association, told Fox News that this is a big relief to the families of the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. “The families of our 9/11 heroes channeled their pain and anger into powerful messages. It was because of their courage that these shameful plea deals were overturned. We are relieved and grateful, but the work is not done. As we have said from the beginning, these terrorists who took so many innocent lives deserve the ultimate punishment that our nation’s security demands, and so do the long-suffering families of the fallen. Such punishment.
“We are shocked and deeply frustrated that our families were not consulted or even notified prior to the plea agreement or its subsequent revocation,” said Brett Eagleson, president of 9/11 Justice. “These monsters need to be forced to share every piece of information they have about the attack and take full responsibility for the murder of our loved ones. This is not just punishment, but the full truth is revealed.”
“Our pursuit of truth and justice remains unwavering. We demand that the government 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 nearly 3,000 victims are grateful to This decision should not prevent us from holding those responsible, including the government of Saudi Arabia, accountable for their role in this horrific tragedy.
“The fight for justice for 9/11 will continue until we reveal the full truth and bring justice to the victims and their families. Revoking these plea deals must bring greater transparency and accountability, ensuring we leave no stone unturned in pursuing the truth.” .
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The defendants are accused of providing training, financial support and other assistance to 19 terrorists who hijacked airliners and crashed them into the World Trade Center in New York, the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, and Shanksville Airport in Pennsylvania.
Attacks killed nearly 3,000 people worst terrorist attack On American soil in American history. Relatives of the victims expressed outrage when they heard news of the deal.
Fox News Digital reached out to the White House for comment.
Fox News’ Bryan Preston contributed to this report.
