In a surprising turn of events, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has revoked plea deals with Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the accused mastermind behind the 9/11 attacks, and two accomplices held at Guantanamo Bay. The plea deals, which were initially agreed upon earlier this week, likely involved guilty pleas in exchange for avoiding the death penalty.
This decision comes after Austin relieved Susan Escallier of her authority to enter into pre-trial agreements in the case and took control himself. Many Republican lawmakers, such as Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, expressed strong disapproval of the plea deals.
Notably, Mohammed, along with the other detainees, is a significant figure at Guantanamo Bay, established in 2002 by former President George W. Bush. The 9/11 attacks orchestrated by Mohammed led to nearly 3,000 fatalities and the onset of a lengthy war in Afghanistan.
Aside from Mohammed, plea deals were also made with Walid Muhammad Salih Mubarak Bin ‘Attash and Mustafa Ahmed Adam al Hawsawi, all of whom have ties to the 9/11 attacks.