Senator J.D. Vance from Ohio stated, “We need a president who kills terrorists, not negotiates with them,” reflecting the sentiment that the plea deals undermine efforts to bring justice to those responsible for the 9/11 attacks.
Texas Republican Senator Ted Cruz called the deal “a disgrace,” emphasizing that the terrorists deserve the death penalty. “Anything short of their execution is a complete and total miscarriage of justice,” Cruz wrote on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson described the plea deals as a “slap in the face” for the families of the 9/11 victims. “The Biden-Harris Administration has done the unthinkable: they’ve agreed to a plea deal with Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the mastermind of the September 11th attacks, and two of his accomplices,” Johnson stated.
Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina also criticized the plea deals, arguing that they send the wrong message at a time when terrorism remains a global threat. “It’s absolutely the wrong signal at the wrong time. The world is on fire. Terrorism is rampant. And we give a plea deal to the mastermind of 9/11? That just encourages more attacks,” Graham stated.
Pentagon Approval
Despite the widespread criticism, some lawmakers believe the plea deals provide a sense of closure. Senator John Hickenlooper, a Democrat from Colorado, expressed satisfaction with the agreement, noting that it ensures the terrorists remain behind bars. “9/11 was one of the worst days for many of us,” Hickenlooper said. “And it’s funny that there’s an emotional scar there that’s never going to be erased. But in a funny way, it’s comforting that they’ll never see the light of day where they’re not in prison.”
