Court Blocks 9/11 Plea Deals Amid Appeals

A D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals has temporarily blocked guilty pleas by Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and two other accused 9/11 plotters, responding to a request from the Biden administration. This decision delays a resolution of the plea deals, which would have allowed the defendants to avoid the death penalty, potentially extending the case into the next administration. The Justice Department argued that proceeding with the plea agreements would irreparably harm the government’s ability to seek capital punishment, while defense lawyers criticized the government's handling of the case over the years. The court's stay will remain in effect while it reviews the arguments, with a deadline for submissions set for January 22. The case has been complicated by past rulings questioning whether Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had the authority to revoke the plea deals. Families of 9/11 victims expressed frustration, highlighting the ongoing struggle for justice two decades after the attacks.