House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) praised Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s decision on Friday to reverse the plea deals announced for three prisoners accused of helping to plan the 9/11 terrorist attack.
“The Biden-Harris Administration is correct to reverse course after receiving letters from @GOPoversight and @HASCRepublicans launching investigations into this terrible plea deal,” Johnson posted on X.
The Pentagon faced a wave of criticism from the right following the announcement of the plea deal, which would have taken the death penalty off the table for the prisoners in exchange for a guilty plea.
Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.), chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, announced that the committee was investigating the plea deal on Friday morning, ahead of Austin’s announcement.
In a letter to President Biden, Comer included a statement from Kathy Vigiano, the wife of an NYPD officer who died on 9/11.
“I am angry and disappointed that enemy combatants who killed thousands of Americans in our homeland are now able to exploit the U.S. judicial system to their benefit, receiving support from American taxpayers for shelter, food, and healthcare for the rest of their lives,” her statement read.
Johnson hinted at support for a harsh sentence in his post.
“Now deliver long awaited justice for 9/11 families,” he added.
By revoking the pretrial decision signed by retired Brig. Gen. Susan K. Escallier, the Defense Secretary assumed direct responsibility for the case and canceled the agreement. The action has effectively returned it to a death penalty case.
“It shouldn’t have taken congressional action to remind them that we don’t negotiate with 9/11 terrorists,” the GOP’s Oversight Committee account posted to X Saturday morning.