Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has canceled the plea deals for Khalid Shaikh Mohammad (KSM), the principal architect behind the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, and two of his lieutenants. A Department of Defense (DOD) memo released on Friday night also announced the removal of the official overseeing military commissions from her role in this case.
As Fox News reports:
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.
The families of the victims expressed deep disappointment with the administration's initial decision.
Background of the Plea Deal Controversy
This decision comes after a surprising announcement earlier in the week regarding a plea deal with the al-Qaeda leaders behind the devastating attacks that claimed nearly 3,000 lives on American soil. The announcement sparked widespread controversy and criticism from political figures to the general public.
Political Reactions
During a campaign rally in Glendale, Arizona, Republican vice presidential nominee J.D. Vance expressed outrage, stating:
“Just today, I heard that the Biden-Harris Department of Justice cut a deal with al-Qaeda terrorist Khalid Sheikh Mohammed to avoid the death penalty. It was reported today. Now, as someone who enlisted in the Marines to serve after 9/11, that is ridiculous. But it's not surprising.”
Vance further criticized the current administration's priorities:
“Now, just think about the point that we've gotten to: Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have weaponized the Department of Justice to go after their political opponents, but they're cutting a sweetheart deal with 9/11 terrorists. We need a president who kills terrorists, not negotiates with them.”
The Role of Khalid Shaikh Mohammad in the 9/11 Attacks
Khalid Shaikh Mohammad first proposed the idea of a large-scale attack on the United States in 1996 to Osama bin Laden. The plan involved:
–Hijacking multiple commercial airliners and using them as weapons against iconic American targets.
-Bin Laden approved the plan in late 1999, agreeing to provide necessary funding, personnel and logistical support. This endorsement set the stage for what became known as the “Planes Operation.”
Selection of Targets
KSM played a pivotal role in selecting targets for the attacks, focusing on high-profile symbols of American power:
–World Trade Center in New York City
–Pentagon in Washington, D.C.
–Potential Third Target: Initially identified as the U.S. Capitol or the White House
Recruitment and Training of Hijackers
KSM was instrumental in recruiting and training the hijackers. He personally vetted and arranged for several hijackers to receive pilot training in the United States.
In the months leading up to the attacks, he supervised final preparations, including securing travel documents, arranging funding and setting the date for the operation. KSM maintained close contact with the hijackers until the attacks were carried out.
Capture and Detention
–March 2003: KSM was captured in a joint operation by the CIA and Pakistani forces in Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
-He was transferred to U.S. custody and detained at Guantanamo Bay, where he remains imprisoned as a high-value detainee.
Military Commission Trial
KSM is facing a military commission trial for his alleged crimes, which include terrorism, conspiracy and murder in violation of the law of war. The trial has experienced multiple delays due to various legal and procedural challenges. Many interruptions have been caused by legal complexities, issues related to evidence admissibility and debates surrounding the treatment of the defendants during CIA interrogations.
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