Defense Secretary Shatters Plea Deal for Alleged 9/11 Mastermind and Co-Defendants

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has nullified plea agreements and reinstated death penalty cases.

WASHINGTON — In a significant move on Friday, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin overturned plea agreements for the accused mastermind of the September 11, 2001 attacks and two other implicated defendants. He reinstated the cases as death penalty eligible.

This action followed closely on the heels of the military commission at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, which had just announced plea deals with Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and two accused accomplices.

The plea agreement initially outlined that the three defendants would serve life sentences. Letters informing families of the nearly 3,000 victims communicated these terms, which sparked condemnation from some family members who saw it as a closure of the possibility for full trials and death penalties.

Republicans were quick to criticize the Biden administration for the agreements, although the White House stated it was unaware of the deal prior to its announcement.

In a Friday night order, Austin emphasized the decision’s significance and asserted his authority to either accept or nullify such plea agreements. He chose the latter, effectively nullifying the arrangements.

Under the plea deal, Mohammed and the other defendants were expected to formally enter their guilty pleas as early as next week.

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