CNN reports that in a surprise memorandum released late on Friday evening (8/2/2024), U.S. Secretary of Defense, General (Ret.) Lloyd J. Austin III, abruptly revoked a plea deal for the alleged mastermind of the horrific 9/11 terror attacks of September 11, 2001.
Secretary Austin stated that responsibility for such a significant decision “should rest with me,” following the Pentagon’s announcement two days earlier that it had reached a plea deal with Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and two other defendants that would have taken the death penalty off the table.
The U.S. previously stated it would seek the death penalty for Mohammed and a military trial was scheduled for January 11, 2021; however, following the resignation of two judges and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the court date was postponed.
In 2008, roughly seven years after the 9/11 attacks, Mohammed was charged with a list of crimes, including conspiracy, the murder of 2,976 persons in violation of the law of war, attacking civilians, attacking civilian objects, intentionally causing serious bodily injury, destruction of property in violation of the law of war, and terrorism and material support of terrorism.
The CNN article may be read in full HERE.
My brothers and sisters, this writer has disagreed with Secretary Austin remaining in his position following the unmitigated military and political disaster that was the United States’ withdrawal from Afghanistan; however, in this case, I’m grateful for his decision to torpedo a ‘sweetheart plea deal’ that was, apparently, insufficiently coordinated and never provided to him for approval. What happened to applying common sense and recognizing the incredible seriousness of such decisions, considering the nearly immeasurable impact of 9/11 on the United States?
Today, because of alleged CIA and/or military interrogation techniques used to obtain critical terrorism information from Mohammed, his trial and the likelihood of receiving the death penalty for the heinous, terrorism-fueled murder of at least 2,976 persons upon U.S. soil has become an albatross upon the neck our entire federal government.
Some may consider today’s society to be more ‘enlightened’ than in decades past, but following WWII, the stabilization, security and restoration of both allied and non-allied countries moved forward quickly. This would not have happened in the absence of a strong sense of justice that included timely investigations, trials and sentencing (including capital punishment) of Nazi war criminals, who among other things, were responsible for the genocide of millions of Jews.
Today, we can’t even seem to timely prosecute a single leader of the 9/11 massacre that happened on U.S. soil!
Let’s remember that as Christians we are to take no pleasure in the demise of anyone, including our enemies, as “vengeance is mine” says the Lord (see Romans 12:19); however, scripture also informs us that governmental rulers are not a terror to those who perform good works, but to those who commit evil acts, and that they may execute wrath upon those who practice evil (see Romans 13:1-4).
Here are the above-referenced scriptures:
Romans 12:19 (Amplified Bible)
“Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave the way open for God’s wrath [and His judicial righteousness]; for it is written [in Scripture], ‘[v]engeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord.”
Romans 13:1-4 (NKJV)
“Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore[,] whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil [emphases mine].”
