9/11 Plea Deal Revoked, Death Penalty Reinstated

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin revoked a plea deal for 9/11 mastermind Khalid Shaikh Mohammed and two accomplices, which had initially been approved by senior Biden administration official Susan Escallier. The controversial deal, which would have spared the men the death penalty, faced backlash from both political leaders and 9/11 victims' families, prompting Austin to take control of the case and reinstate the death penalty as an option. The move was characterized as an embarrassment for the Biden-Harris administration, leading to public criticism and an investigation by the House Oversight Committee into the administration's involvement in the plea negotiations. Senators Mitch McConnell and Tom Cotton praised Austin's decision to cancel the deal, highlighting the need for accountability and justice for the victims. The decision was met with relief from the 9/11 community, who expressed gratitude for the reversal.