NW Kentucky News

House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) has initiated an investigation into the Biden-Harris Administration's involvement in a recently announced plea deal for three terrorists implicated in the September 11, 2001 attacks. In a letter to President Joe Biden, Comer has requested documents and communications concerning the plea deal for the individuals charged with murdering nearly 3,000 people.

“The Committee on Oversight and Accountability is investigating what involvement the White House had in negotiating and/or approving the recently announced plea deal for three terrorists who plotted the devastating attacks against the United States on September 11, 2001. The Committee is seeking documents and information to understand the role your Administration played in these negotiations and the ultimate decision to forgo seeking the death penalty for three individuals who are charged with, among other crimes, the murder of 2,976 people,” wrote Chairman Comer.

On July 31, 2024, the Department of Defense Office of the Chief Prosecutor for Military Commissions informed families of September 11 victims that it had entered into pre-trial agreements with three defendants in United States v. Khalid Shaikh Mohammad, et al. After over a decade of pretrial proceedings, Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, Walid Bin ‘Attash, and Mustafa al Hawsawi have allegedly agreed to plead guilty to charged offenses on condition that the U.S. government does not seek the death penalty. These agreements followed 27 months of negotiations and were approved by senior Pentagon officials; however, the White House Security Council stated President Biden did not play a role in these negotiations.

“In addition to questions surrounding the White House’s role in this decision, the Committee is also concerned about the complete lack of transparency regarding the deal. The specific terms of the pre-trial agreements remain undisclosed to the public or families of the victims. You are allowing these terrorists to avoid the death penalty, signaling to our enemies that the United States is reluctant to pursue full justice against those who attack our nation,” continued Chairman Comer.

Read Chairman Comer's letter to President Biden here.