On Friday, there was a surprising reversal in the plea deal that Pentagon prosecutors agreed to with three of the terrorists behind the September 11 terrorist attacks who were awaiting trial in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
The agreement that sparked national outrage and took the death penalty off the table has been revoked by Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III in a terse memo.
Secretary Austin III is now assuming the lead in the case of 9/11 mastermind Khalid Shaikh Mohammad, Walid Muhammad Salih Mubarak Bin 'Attash, and Mustafa Ahmed Adam al Hawsawi.
In his order, Austin removed the official in charge of the military commission who had signed the original plea agreements.
“Effective immediately, in the exercise of my authority, I hereby withdraw from the three pretrial agreements that you signed on July 31, 2024,” the Secretary of Defense's letter reads.
9/11 shooter and two others reach plea deals while awaiting trial; families of victims 'very disappointed'
Khalid Shaikh Mohammad, accused of masterminding the September 11 terrorist attacks. (AP Agency)
No explanation was given as to why this was not resolved before the agreements were signed and made public.
The powerful House Armed Services Committee announced early Friday that it was launching an investigation into the plea deals, which Chairman Mike Rogers, R-La., called “unconscionable.”
“I, along with much of our nation and Congress, are deeply shocked and angered by the news that the terrorist mastermind and his associates who planned the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, which killed nearly 3,000 innocent people, have been offered a plea deal,” Rogers wrote in the letter, first obtained by Fox News Digital. Rogers called news of the deals a “punch in the gut” to the victims' families.
On Thursday, after news of the widely criticized deals broke, the White House said President Biden “played no role” in the process.
“The White House learned yesterday that the Military Commissions Convening Authority reached pretrial agreements, negotiated by military prosecutors, with KSM and other 9/11 defendants,” a White House National Security Council spokesperson told Fox News Digital. “The President and the White House played no role in this process. The President has directed his team to consult, as appropriate, with Department of Defense officials and attorneys on this matter.” White House national security spokesman John Kirby reiterated that the White House played no role in the plea deal on Fox News Channel, adding that the administration was “not aware” of the agreements until they were announced.
The president last year rejected a proposal that would have spared the three suspects from the death penalty.
Victims' groups have been quick to react to both the deal and Austin's quick about-face, reversing it. Patrick Hendry, president of the New York City Police Benevolent Association, told Fox News that this was a huge relief for the families of victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. “The families of our 9/11 heroes channeled their anguish and outrage into a powerful message. It is because of their courage that these shameful plea agreements have been overturned. We are relieved and grateful, but the work is not yet done. As we have said from the beginning, these terrorists who took so many innocent lives must receive the maximum punishment. The security of our nation demands it, and the families of the fallen, who have suffered for so long, deserve no less.”
“We are shocked and deeply frustrated that our families were not consulted or even notified in advance about the plea agreement or its subsequent reversal,” said 9/11 Justice President Brett Eagleson. “These monsters must be forced to share all the information they have about the attacks and must be held accountable for the murder of our loved ones. This is not just about punishment, this is about uncovering the whole truth.
“Our pursuit of truth and justice remains unwavering. We demand that the administration ensure that these individuals provide vital 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 deserve to know all the details. This decision must not hamper our efforts to hold those responsible, including the Saudi government, accountable for their role in this horrific tragedy.
“9/11 Justice will continue to fight tirelessly to uncover the full truth and secure justice for the victims and their families. The reversal of these plea agreements 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 providing training, financial support and other assistance to the 19 terrorists who hijacked passenger jets and crashed them into the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, and a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, on Sept. 11, 2001.
The attacks killed nearly 3,000 people in the The worst terrorist attack on U.S. soil in U.S. history. Loved ones of the victims expressed outrage at hearing news of the settlement.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the White House for comment.
Fox News' Bryan Preston contributed to this report.
