Republican lawmakers Ted Cruz and Nicole Malliotakis wrote a letter to the Pentagon expressing concerns about a potential plea deal for Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the suspected mastermind behind the 9/11 terrorist attacks. They requested Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to provide information on the ongoing prosecution of Mohammed and his co-defendants who are currently imprisoned in Guantanamo Bay. The lawmakers’ concerns were raised after the families of 9/11 victims were informed about the possibility of “pre-trial agreements” for the suspects, which would involve admitting guilt to avoid the death penalty. Cruz and Malliotakis accused the Pentagon of pursuing these deals to align with President Biden’s opposition to the death penalty and appease the left-wing of his party. They called for the Pentagon to respond to their questions by September 15, 2023.
