Senator Durbin Urges Reconsideration of Revoked Plea Deals for 9/11 Suspects

Senate Majority Whip and Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin, D-Ill., has called on Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to reconsider his recent decision to revoke plea deals with the alleged masterminds of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. In a letter dated Wednesday, Durbin emphasized the legal and moral obligation to deliver justice to the families of the victims, expressing concern that the revocation undermines the potential for closure. He urged Austin to consult with prosecutors who deemed the plea agreements the best path forward for justice. The plea deals, which would have allowed Khalid Shaikh Mohammad, Walid Muhammad Salih Mubarak Bin Attash, and Mustafa Ahmed Adam al Hawsawi to avoid the death penalty, were met with backlash from politicians and victim families alike. Following this outcry, Austin announced the revocation, asserting that such significant decisions should be made under his authority as the superior convening authority under the Military Commissions Act of 2009. Durbin's letter reflects ongoing concerns regarding the effectiveness of military commissions in delivering justice. He highlighted that the plea agreements would likely have resulted in life sentences for the accused, which he argued would be the harshest penalties they could face after prolonged legal proceedings. The Department of Defense has indicated that it will respond to Durbin's correspondence, as is standard practice for congressional inquiries. The senator's appeal underscores the complex interplay between legal processes and the quest for justice for 9/11 victims' families.