A few U.S. Senators released statements over the weekend after Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin canceled plea deals that were given to three of the terrorists who were behind the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States.
The administration faced severe backlash after news of the plea deal — which included sparing the terrorists the death penalty in exchange for them pleading guilty to the events of that day and the murder of 2,976 people — was made public. The administration later removed retired Brig. Gen. Susan K. Escallier, the person who offered the deal, from overseeing the case and canceled the offer.
Under the pretrial agreements, 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, Walid Muhammad Salih Mubarak Bin ‘Attash, and Mustafa Ahmed Adam al Hawsawi would have served, at most, life sentences in prison.
“We are glad that Secretary Austin came to his senses, heeded our warning, and decided to take the concerns of 9/11 victims and families seriously,” said a joint statement from Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR).
“The Biden-Harris Administration’s consideration of a plea deal with terrorist mass murderers was disgraceful. America deserves a Commander-in-Chief committed to peace through strength, not chaos through weakness,” the statement continued. “The President must know that we continue to watch this situation closely. The Justice for 9/11 Act is introduced, and if the Administration ever changes course, we stand ready to overturn any future cowardly plea deals with the murderous mastermind of that tragic day.”
The senators added that the U.S. “must never flinch in holding terrorists accountable for their actions.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) said that the administration was “correct to reverse course after receiving letters from @GOPoversight and @HASCRepublicans launching investigations into this terrible plea deal.”
“Now deliver long awaited justice for 9/11 families,” he added.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) also commented on the reversal, posting on X: “I firmly believe that Secretary Austin did the right thing and exercised good command judgement by revoking the plea deal for the 9/11 mastermind and his accomplices.”
“The previous plea deal would have sent absolutely the wrong signal to terrorists throughout the world,” he continued. “I know the families of the victims of the 9/11 attacks will appreciate this — as do I.”
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