Opinion | The author's opinion does not necessarily reflect Sarah Palin's view.
The architect of the 9/11 attacks and his fellow defendants may avoid the death penalty because federal prosecutors in President Biden’s Justice Department are considering plea agreements.
As of May 2023, the United States is holding 30 detainees at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba. In May 2014, former President Barack Obama notoriously released 5 terrorists in exchange for U.S. Army Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl who disgracefully deserted his post in Afghanistan to join enemy members of the Taliban. Bergdahl pleaded guilty in 2017 to charges of desertion and misbehavior before the enemy, but a federal judge voided the conviction in 2023.
Among the 30 detainees at Guantanamo, there are five prominent al-Qaeda members who face terrorist charges related to the 9/11 attacks. Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, who was known by at least 50 pseudonyms, is considered “the principal architect of the 9/11 attacks,” according to the 9/11 Commission Report. He is a Pakistani extremist terrorist who was a member of Osama bin Laden’s organization. (Poll: Is Joe Biden Fit to be President? VOTE)
The alleged mastermind of the 9/11 attacks and four other defendants are discussing plea bargains with Pentagon lawyers, CBS News has learned.
Families of 9/11 victims told @MacFarlaneNews a plea deal isn’t justice: "I wanted to see those responsible account for the crimes." pic.twitter.com/Zib9udvlh4
— CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) August 18, 2023
A letter was sent to several of the families of 9/11 victims that says military prosecutors and defense lawyers are exploring plea deals. The case has been held up for over a decade due to delays and legal disputes, including legal ramifications regarding the enhanced interrogation techniques used, including waterboarding.
Mohammed was initially captured in March 2003 and he was transported to secret CIA prison sites in Afghanistan and Poland where he was interrogated by U.S. operatives. He was waterboarded 183 times in CIA custody to obtain information about terrorist attacks. In December 2006, Mohammed was transferred to military custody at Guantanamo Bay detention camp.
The letter sent to 9/11 families states that prosecutors are considering the removal of the death penalty in order to resolve the case. (Trending: Ex-Capitol Police Chief Drops Bombshell About Jan 6)
“The Office of the Chief Prosecutor has been negotiating and is considering entering into pre-trial agreements,” the letter said, adding that while no agreement “has been finalized, and may never be finalized, it is possible that a PTA in this case would remove the possibility of the death penalty.”
Many people have responded negatively to the idea of plea deals. Peter Brady, who lost his father in the attacks, said he’s disgusted by the plea deal.
Former New York City deputy fire chief Jim Riches, who lost a firefighter son during the attacks, is furious about the possibility of removing the death penalty.
“Those guys are still alive. Our children are dead,” he said. “How can you have any faith in it? No matter how many letters they send, until I see it, I won’t believe it.” (Poll: Is America Better Off Under Biden? VOTE)
The were four coordinated terrorist attacks by al-Qaeda against the United States on the morning of 9/11. The attacks resulted in 2,996 fatalities, over 25,000 injuries, and substantial long-term health consequences, in addition to at least $10 billion in infrastructure and property damage.
The attacks had a lasting impact on the families and friends of the victims. Many people still struggle with the grief and trauma of that day as the Biden administration considers plea deals for those responsible.
