Wed Jan 08 01:31:56 UTC 2025: ## Biden Administration Appeals 9/11 Plea Deal, Seeking Death Penalty for Khalid Sheikh Mohammed

**Washington, D.C. – January 8, 2025** – The Biden administration is appealing a plea agreement reached for Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the alleged mastermind behind the September 11th attacks, and two co-defendants. The deal, negotiated by the Department of Defense but later repudiated, would spare the three men the death penalty.

The Justice Department filed a brief with a federal appeals court, arguing that accepting the guilty pleas would irreparably harm the government. The plea deal would prevent a public trial and the opportunity to seek capital punishment for the three men accused of orchestrating the mass murder of thousands.

The appeal comes as family members of the victims are gathering at Guantanamo Bay to witness Mohammed’s scheduled guilty plea on Friday. While some families support the plea deal as a way to bring closure after over a decade of legal battles, others demand a trial and execution.

The plea deal was initially approved by a senior Pentagon official, who described it as “the best path to finality and justice.” However, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin unsuccessfully attempted to overturn the agreement, asserting that the decision on the death penalty should rest solely with the Secretary of Defense.

Legal experts warn that the complexities of the case, including the defendants’ torture under CIA custody, could delay or prevent any verdicts and sentencing. The Justice Department’s brief argues that a short delay to allow the court to consider their appeal would not significantly harm the defendants, who face lengthy prison sentences regardless. The brief also criticizes the military commission judge’s ruling that limited the defense secretary’s authority in the matter. The case continues to spark debate, with some criticizing the administration’s handling of the plea bargain while others see it as a pragmatic resolution to a long and complex legal process.

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