The White House has faced scrutiny over its handling of a plea deal reversal for three 9/11 terrorists, with National Security Council spokesman John Kirby dodging questions on the matter during an interview on “Fox News Sunday.”
When pressed by Fox News’ Jacqui Heinrich on whether President Biden had weighed in on the decision to reverse the deal, which would have removed the death penalty for the 9/11 plotters, Kirby emphasized that it was an “independent decision” made by Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. The White House has previously stated that President Biden played no role in the initial agreement, which was negotiated by military prosecutors and signed in July.
The reversal came after widespread criticism from victims’ families, lawmakers, and the public. The Department of Defense announced on Friday that Austin had withdrawn the agreements, citing his authority as the Convening Authority for Military Commissions.
While navigating the controversy surrounding the plea deal, the Biden administration has also been engaged in efforts to broker a ceasefire in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. During his interview on “Fox News Sunday,” Kirby reiterated the administration’s belief that a cease-fire is the best way to end the war, which began on October 7th with a Hamas attack that killed over 1,200 Israelis and resulted in the kidnapping of hundreds more.
However, concerns have emerged that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may be reluctant to pursue a ceasefire. Deputy National Security Adviser Jonathan Finer, appearing on CNN’s “State of the Union,” declined to comment on private conversations between Biden and Netanyahu, but emphasized the strong personal relationship between the two leaders. Finer emphasized the administration’s urgency for a ceasefire, noting the potential for “outside factors” to disrupt the peace process.
Despite the challenges, the administration remains committed to working towards a resolution in both the 9/11 terrorist case and the Israel-Hamas conflict.
