A surprising backtrack Friday on the plea deal that Pentagon prosecutors agreed to with three of the terrorists behind the Sept. 11 terror assaults who have been awaiting trial in Guantánamo Bay, Cuba.
The deal that stirred nationwide outrage and took the demise penalty off of the desk has been revoked by Protection Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III in a terse memo.
Secretary Austin III is now taking the lead on the case for 9/11 mastermind Khalid Shaikh Mohammad, Walid Muhammad Salih Mubarak Bin ‘Attash, and Mustafa Ahmed Adam al Hawsawi.
In his order, Austin relieved the official answerable for the army fee who had signed off on the unique plea offers.
“Effective immediately, in the exercise of my authority, I hereby withdraw from the three pretrial agreements that you signed on July 31, 2024,” the letter from the Secretary of Protection reads.
Khalid Shaikh Mohammad, accused mastermind of the 9/11 terror assaults. (AP)
No clarification was given on why this was not settled earlier earlier than the offers have been signed off and publicly launched.
The highly effective Home Armed Providers Committee introduced earlier Friday it was launching an investigation into the plea offers, which Chairman Mike Rogers, R.-La., referred to as “unconscionable.”
“I, along with much of our nation and Congress, are deeply shocked and angered by news that the terrorist mastermind and his associates who planned the September 11, 2001 terror attacks, which killed nearly 3000 innocent people, were offered a plea deal,” Rogers wrote within the letter, first obtained by Fox Information Digital. Rogers referred to as information of the offers a “gut punch” to victims’ households.
On Thursday, after information of the extensively criticized offers broke, the White Home claimed that President Biden “played no role” within the course of.
“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,” a White Home Nationwide Safety Council spokesperson advised Fox Information Digital. “The President and the White House played no role in this process. The President has directed his team to consult as appropriate with officials and lawyers at the Department of Defense on this matter.” White Home nationwide safety spokesman John Kirby reiterated that the White Home performed no position within the plea deal on Fox Information Channel, including that the administration was “not aware” of the offers till they have been introduced.
The president rejected a proposal final 12 months that may have spared the three suspects from the demise penalty.
Victims’ teams have been swift to reply each the deal, and the swift about face transfer from Austin, revoking it. Patrick Hendry, president of the Police Benevolent Affiliation of the Metropolis of New York, advised Fox Information that this was an enormous aid for the households of victims of the 9/11 terror assaults. “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. As we have said from the beginning, these terrorists who claimed so many innocent lives should receive the ultimate punishment. The safety of our nation demands it, and the long-suffering families of the fallen deserve nothing less.”
“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,” stated 9/11 Justice President Brett Eagleson. “These monsters need to be forced to share every piece of information they have about the attacks and be held fully accountable for the murder of our loved ones. It’s not just about punishment, it’s about uncovering the full truth.
“Our quest for fact and justice stays unwavering. We demand that the administration ensures these people present very important info relating to the 9/11 assaults, together with the extent of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s involvement. The American individuals and the households of the almost 3,000 victims need to know each element. This determination shouldn’t hinder our efforts to carry these accountable, together with the Saudi authorities, accountable for his or her roles on 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.”
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The defendants are accused of offering coaching, monetary assist and different help to the 19 terrorists who hijacked passenger jets and crashed them into the World Commerce Middle in New York Metropolis, the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, and a discipline in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, on Sept. 11, 2001.
The assaults killed almost 3,000 individuals within the worst terror assault on U.S. soil in American historical past. Family members of the victims expressed outrage upon listening to information of the deal.
Fox Information Digital reached out to the White Home for remark.
Fox Information’ Bryan Preston contributed to this report.
