Lloyd Austin and Khalid Sheikh Mohammed

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has revoked plea agreements made with Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the alleged mastermind of the September 11 attacks, and two accomplices, which would have allowed them to avoid the death penalty. The agreements, which surfaced earlier this week, faced significant backlash from Republican lawmakers who criticized the administration for being lenient on the terrorists responsible for nearly 3,000 deaths. Austin's memo reinstated his authority over the case and emphasized that such significant decisions should rest with him due to their gravity. This change raises the possibility of death penalty trials for the trio, who are currently held at Guantanamo Bay. The White House distanced itself from the plea deal process, asserting that neither President Biden nor his advisors were involved. Calls for transparency regarding the agreements have intensified, with some lawmakers demanding more information about the negotiations.