Three terrorists accused of masterminding the September 11 terror attacks have struck a plea deal with prosecutors, sparing them from the death penalty. Khalid Shaikh Mohammad, Walid Muhammad Salih Mubarak Bin Attash, and Mustafa Ahmed Adam al Hawsawi were awaiting trial in Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, when they reached an agreement with the Convening Authority for Military Commissions.
The defendants are accused of providing training, financial support, and other assistance to the 19 terrorists who carried out the attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, in 2001.
Upon hearing the news, families of the nearly 3,000 victims expressed anger and disappointment. Many felt that the plea deal was a failure of justice and a disservice to the memory of their loved ones who perished in the attacks.
Lawmakers and public officials also criticized the Biden administration for allowing the plea deal. Senator Ted Cruz called it a disgrace and insisted that anything short of the terrorists' execution would be a miscarriage of justice. Others, like Senator Lindsey Graham and House Speaker Mike Johnson, echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing that the defendants deserved the ultimate punishment for their heinous crimes.
The plea deal has reignited emotions and reopened wounds for those affected by the tragic events of 9/11. The decision to spare the terrorists from the death penalty has sparked outrage and raised questions about the administration's approach to dealing with perpetrators of terrorism.
As the families of the victims continue to seek closure and justice, the plea deal serves as a stark reminder of the enduring impact of the September 11 attacks on the collective memory of the nation.
