The Maine Wire
  • News
  • Commentary
  • The Blog
  • About
  • Support the Maine Wire
  • Store
Facebook Twitter Instagram
Trending News
  • Maine Falls At the Bottom of the Nation for Education, Overall Ranking Declines: 2026 Kids Count Data Book
  • Maine Warship Modernization Delayed Two Years, Will Cost $20 Million Extra, Navy Says
  • “Anti-ICE Rioter” in Custody After Setting Off Explosives at New York Federal Building
  • Homeless Man Arrested for Arson Following Readfield Fire Investigation
  • 39 Democratic Senators, Angus King Demand Answers From DHS After Fatal ICE Shootings in Maine, Texas
  • ICE to Require Body Cameras During Vehicle Stops Following Biddeford Shooting as Questions Persist Over Federal Oversight
  • Extended Moratorium on Lobster Industry Regulations Advances to House Floor
  • Body Found at Rental Property Owned by Husband of Rep. Ayanna Pressley; Investigation Underway in Boston
Facebook Twitter Instagram
The Maine Wire
Tuesday, July 21
  • News
  • Commentary
  • The Blog
  • About
  • Support the Maine Wire
  • Store
The Maine Wire
Home » News » News » Defense Secretary Reverses Plea Deal with 9/11 Plotter Amid Public Outcry
News

Defense Secretary Reverses Plea Deal with 9/11 Plotter Amid Public Outcry

Seamus OthotBy Seamus OthotAugust 5, 2024Updated:August 5, 20243 Comments2 Mins Read
Facebook Twitter Email LinkedIn Reddit
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email

President Joe Biden’s Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin, dramatically reversed course on a plea deal the Biden-Harris administration made with Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the mastermind behind the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.

“I have determined that, in light of the significance of the decision to enter into pre-trial
agreements with the accused in the above-referenced case, responsibility for such a decision should rest with me as the superior convening authority under the Military Commissions Act of 2009,” said U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin in a memo.

The original decision to offer the plea deal was, allegedly, made by an underling without approval from Austin, Biden, or Harris.

[RELATED: 9/11 Terrorist Attack Plotter Gets Plea Deal from Biden-Harris Administration…]

“Effective immediately, in the exercise of my authority, I hereby withdraw from the three
pre-trial agreements,” Austin added.

The original plea deal, which was announced Wednesday, drew criticism from members of the public and politicians for being too lenient and sparing terrorists involved in the 9/11 attacks.

“I am very disappointed. We waited patiently for a long time. I wanted the death penalty — the government has failed us,” one victim told the New York Post.

On Friday, just two days after the wildly unpopular deal was announced, Austin formally withdrew from it.

The original deal, which would have required the terrorists to plead guilty to the deaths of 2,976 people killed by their attack, was secured by retired Brig. Gen. Susan K. Escallier, who oversaw court cases at Guantánamo Bay.

Seemingly in direct response to the plea deal, Austin officially relieved Escallier of her duties and took them over himself.

Austin withdrew the deal as the 2024 election approaches, and as Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign attempts to draw more right-leaning voters away from former President Donald Trump, despite her radically far-left record.

The far-left activist group American Civil Liberties Union announced shortly after Austin’s decision that it would sue the federal government in order to protect the originally plea deal and save the 9-11 mass murderer from the death penalty.

Previous ArticleChinese-owned TikTok Sued for Alleged Violations of U.S. Child Privacy Laws
Next Article Official Design Revealed for Proposed Replacement of Maine State Flag
Seamus Othot

Seamus Othot is a reporter for The Maine Wire. He graduated from The Thomas More College of Liberal Arts, where he was able to spend his time reading the great works of Western Civilization. He can be reached at [email protected] or ‪(401) 216-9160‬.

Latest News

Maine Falls At the Bottom of the Nation for Education, Overall Ranking Declines: 2026 Kids Count Data Book

July 20, 2026

Maine Warship Modernization Delayed Two Years, Will Cost $20 Million Extra, Navy Says

July 20, 2026

“Anti-ICE Rioter” in Custody After Setting Off Explosives at New York Federal Building

July 20, 2026
0 0 votes
Article Rating
3 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Alfie
Alfie
1 year ago

This administration is so disgustingly wishy-washy. Not a backbone among em. I finally understand what DEI hire means.

3
ME Infidel
ME Infidel
1 year ago

I suspect Austin’s reversal was only because we’re close to a presidential election. I don’t trust him or anyone else in the disastrous OBiden administration. The jihadists should’ve had the opportunity to meet their 72 virgins years ago.

2
Sam Brady
Sam Brady
1 year ago

How bad must you be at your job -To be a Black guy and get Fired by Obama ? Yes that happened to “Affirmative Action ” Austin . Need I say more ?

0
Recent News

Maine Falls At the Bottom of the Nation for Education, Overall Ranking Declines: 2026 Kids Count Data Book

July 20, 2026

Maine Warship Modernization Delayed Two Years, Will Cost $20 Million Extra, Navy Says

July 20, 2026

“Anti-ICE Rioter” in Custody After Setting Off Explosives at New York Federal Building

July 20, 2026

Homeless Man Arrested for Arson Following Readfield Fire Investigation

July 20, 2026

39 Democratic Senators, Angus King Demand Answers From DHS After Fatal ICE Shootings in Maine, Texas

July 20, 2026
Newsletter

News

  • News
  • Campaigns & Elections
  • Opinion & Commentary
  • Media Watch
  • Education
  • Media

Maine Wire

  • About the Maine Wire
  • Advertising
  • Contact Us
  • Submit Commentary
  • Complaints
  • Maine Policy Institute

Resources

  • Maine Legislature
  • Legislation Finder
  • Get the Newsletter
  • Maine Wire TV

Facebook Twitter Instagram Steam RSS
  • Post Office Box 7829, Portland, Maine 04112

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

wpDiscuz