Reaction to the recent plea deal made by three terrorists involved in the 9/11 terror attacks has been met with outrage and disappointment from the families of the victims. Khalid Shaikh Mohammad, Walid Muhammad Salih Mubarak Bin Attash, and Mustafa Ahmed Adam al Hawsawi, who are accused of providing support to the terrorists responsible for the attacks, struck a deal with prosecutors to avoid the death penalty.
Upon hearing the news, loved ones of the nearly 3,000 people killed during the attacks expressed their frustration. Daniel D’Allara, who lost his twin brother, John, in the attacks, stated that he wanted the death penalty and felt let down by the government. Similarly, Jim Smith, whose wife Moira Smith was the only female NYPD officer killed on 9/11, expressed his disappointment, saying that the families had been waiting for 23 years to have their day in court.
Brett Eagleson, who lost his father in the World Trade Center, called the timing of the plea deal “sh—y” and criticized it as an attempt to close the chapter on 9/11 without proper justice. Lawmakers and public officials also condemned the Biden administration for the deal, with Senator Ted Cruz calling it a disgrace and Senator JD Vance stating that the US needs a president who eliminates terrorists rather than negotiating with them.
Patrick Hendry, president of the Police Benevolent Association of the City of New York, emphasized that the crimes committed by the terrorists warranted the ultimate punishment and criticized the leniency shown in the plea deal. Senator Lindsey Graham echoed this sentiment, highlighting that the defendants were allowed to plead guilty and avoid the death penalty despite their role in the attacks.
House Speaker Mike Johnson also condemned the plea deal, describing it as a “slap in the face” to the families of the victims who have been waiting for justice for over two decades. The frustration and disappointment expressed by the families and public officials underscore the deep impact of the 9/11 attacks and the ongoing quest for accountability and closure.
In the aftermath of the plea deal, there is a call for stronger action against terrorists and a reevaluation of the approach to dealing with individuals involved in such heinous crimes. The reactions from the families of the victims and public officials highlight the need for justice and closure in cases of terrorism, especially those as significant as the 9/11 attacks.
