In a stunning reversal on Friday, Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III revoked a plea deal for the mastermind behind the September 11 terror attacks, Khalid Shaikh Mohammad, along with his accomplices Walid Muhammad Salih Mubarak Bin 'Attash and Mustafa Ahmed Adam al Hawsawi. The move has garnered praise from victims' groups and Republican lawmakers, who have long demanded justice for the devastating attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people.

The plea agreement, which had generated national outrage, was announced by Pentagon prosecutors on Thursday. While the exact terms of the agreement were undisclosed, it was known to have taken the death penalty off the table for the accused individuals. This news left many relatives of 9/11 victims bewildered and furious, as they believed that those responsible for planning the attack should face the full extent of the law.

The House Oversight and Armed Services Committees swiftly responded by launching separate investigations into the plea deals, with Armed Services Chairman Mike Rogers referring to them as "unconscionable." House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., commended the Biden-Harris Administration for reversing course after the investigations were initiated and called for the long-awaited justice for the families affected by the attacks.

Secretary Austin took immediate action by relieving the official in charge of the military commission responsible for approving the plea deals and assuming authority over the matter. In a concise memo issued on Friday, he stated, "Effective immediately, in the exercise of my authority, I hereby withdraw from the three pretrial agreements that you signed on July 31, 2024." However, the reasons behind the delayed intervention were not explained.

The swift reversal by the Defense Secretary has been met with praise from 9/11 Families United, a group representing the victims' families and survivors. Terry Strada, the national chair for 9/11 Families United, commended Secretary Austin for displaying America's strength through the decision, emphasizing that America does not negotiate with terrorists. Strada also called on Congress to pass the Ensuring Justice for Victims of Terrorism Act, which would enable families to seek financial compensation from foreign sponsors of terrorism.

Several Republican lawmakers from New York echoed the sentiment, expressing gratitude for Secretary Austin's decision. They also stressed the importance of ensuring that Khalid Shaikh Mohammad and the other terrorists face trial for their crimes and receive the maximum sentence. Meanwhile, top Democrats, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, have not commented on the plea agreement or its reversal.

Victims' groups have also welcomed the revocation of the plea deals while expressing frustration that they were not notified or consulted during the process. Patrick Hendry, President of the Police Benevolent Association of the City of New York, called it a big relief for the families of the 9/11 terror attack victims. Brett Eagleson, President of 9/11 Justice, demanded greater transparency and accountability, urging for the uncovering of the full truth behind the attacks and holding all responsible parties accountable.

As the Defense Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment on this matter, the quest for truth and justice for the victims and their families remains unwavering. The decision to revoke the plea deals has intensified the call for vital information regarding the 9/11 attacks, including the involvement of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The revocation of the plea deals signals a renewed commitment to holding accountable those responsible for one of the darkest moments in American history, as the nation strives to bring a sense of closure and justice to the families of the victims of the 9/11 attacks.