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The Pentagon has confirmed that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who recently rescinded a proposed plea deal with three men accused of plotting the 9/11 attacks, was “surprised” that the US government had made such an offer.
Let’s bring you up to speed: On Friday, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin rescinded a plea deal offered to Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and two of his alleged accomplices, accused of orchestrating the 9/11 attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people. Austin also signed a memorandum stating that only he would have the authority to offer any potential deals. The plea agreement, reached by the Office of Military Commissions without Austin’s prior knowledge or consultation, aimed to resolve the long-standing case against these detainees held at Guantanamo Bay. While specific details of the plea agreement were not disclosed, it was known that the men would avoid the death penalty by pleading guilty.
What the Pentagon said: During a press briefing, Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said, “This is not something that the secretary was consulted on. We were not aware that the prosecution or defense would enter the terms of the plea agreement.”
Austin wants a trial: According to Singh, Secretary Austin “believes that the families and the American public deserve the opportunity to see military commission trials carried out in this case.”
Mixed reactions over original plea deal offer: The plea deal announcement sparked mixed reactions. Republicans and some Democrats criticized the Biden administration for being too lenient on terrorists by considering plea agreements over trials. Some 9/11 victims’ families expressed anger and disappointment, feeling it undermined justice for their loved ones who were lost. Contrarily, other families welcomed the plea deal, frustrated by the prolonged legal process and seeing it as a way to finally resolve the cases.
