The plea deal that prosecutors agreed to with three of the terrorists behind the Sept. 11 terror attacks who were awaiting trial in Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, has been revoked by Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III.
On Friday, Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III took the lead on the case and effectively put the death penalty back on the table for Khalid Shaikh Mohammad, Walid Muhammad Salih Mubarak Bin ‘Attash, and Mustafa Ahmed Adam al Hawsawi.
In his order, Austin relieved the official in charge of the military commission who had signed off on the original plea deals.
“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 Defense reads.
Austin said he acted under his authority and is assuming control of the matter.
Khalid Shaikh Mohammad, accused mastermind of the 9/11 terror attacks. (AP)
No explanation was given on why this was not settled earlier before the deals were signed off and publicly released.
The powerful House Armed Services Committee announced earlier Friday it was launching an investigation into the plea deals, which Chairman Mike Rogers, R.-La., called “unconscionable.”
On Thursday, the White House said that President Biden “played no role” in the plea deal process for three of the terrorists behind the Sept. 11 terror attacks.
“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 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 officials and lawyers at the Department of Defense 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 deals until they were announced.
The president rejected a proposal last year that would have spared the three suspects from the death penalty.
President of the Police Benevolent Association of the City of New York, Inc. Patrick Hendry told Fox News that this was a big relief for the families of victims of the 9/11 terror attacks. “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.”
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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 worst terror attack on U.S. soil in American history. Loved ones of the victims expressed outrage upon hearing news of the deal.
Fox News Digital reached out to the White House for comment.
This is a developing story. Check back here for more details.
