• Economy
  • Editor’s Pick
Money Rise Today – Investing and Stock News
  • Investing
  • Stock
Editor's Pick

John Kirby dodges grilling over plea agreement for 9/11 terrorists: ‘Didn’t hear an answer’

by August 4, 2024
written by August 4, 2024

White House National Security Council communications adviser John Kirby on Sunday dodged answering questions regarding the abrupt plea deal reversal provided to a trio of 9/11 terrorists last week. 

‘Is the president willing to let these terrorists escape the harshest penalty in the system of justice and let that be part of his legacy?’ Fox News’ Jacqui Heinrich asked Kirby during an interview on ‘Fox News Sunday.’

‘Again, this was a decision made by a convening authority in the military chain of command, an independent convening authority,’ Kirby responded. 

‘He didn’t weigh in at all?’ Heinrich pressed. 

‘The secretary of defense has the authority to change the delegation of that – of that authority to the convening authority,’ Kirby continued. ‘I know that sounds kind of complicated, but he has the authority to do that. He did this on his own.’

‘But did the president weigh in?’ Heinrich asked again. 

‘This was a decision made by the secretary of defense,’ Kirby said, sparking Heinrich to say that she ‘didn’t hear an answer.’

The Department of Defense announced last week the Convening Authority for Military Commissions entered into pretrial agreements with Khalid Shaikh Mohammad, Walid Muhammad Salih Mubarak Bin ‘Attash, and Mustafa Ahmed Adam al Hawsawi. The agreement included taking the death penalty off of the table for the three 9/11 plotters. 

As outrage mounted over the agreement, the White House said Biden did not play a role in the deal. 

‘The White House learned yesterday that the Convening Authority for Military Commissions entered into pretrial agreements, negotiated by military prosecutors, with KSM and other 9/11 defendants,’ a White House National Security Council spokesperson told Fox News Digital. ‘The President and the White House played no role in this process. The President has directed his team to consult as appropriate with officials and lawyers at the Department of Defense on this matter.’ 

Biden has also rejected a proposal last year that would have spared the three suspects from the death penalty.

After the news broke, the Defense Department abruptly backtracked on the agreement on Friday. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has now taken the lead on the case. 

‘Effective immediately, in the exercise of my authority, I hereby withdraw from the three pretrial agreements that you signed on July 31, 2024,’ the letter from the secretary reads. 

No explanation was offered as to why the matter was not settled before the deals were concluded and publicly announced. 

Heinrich pressed Kirby whether Biden asked Austin to rescind the deals to the trio of terrorists, to which the White House spokesman responded that Austin made an ‘independent decision.’ 

‘This was a decision made by the secretary of defense. It was an independent decision by him, certainly within his authorities, as in the chain of command at the Defense Department,’ Kirby responded. 

On Sunday, Kirby also addressed ongoing efforts to broker a cease-fire in Israel as war continues raging since Oct. 7, when Hamas launched an attack that killed more than 1,200 and led to the kidnapping of hundreds more.

‘Number one, we still believe a cease-fire deal is the best way to bring this war to an end. It’s also, we believe, very possible. We still believe the gaps are narrow enough to close,’ Kirby said. 

‘The other thing that we’ve been doing since the 7th of October is making sure that not only Israel has what it needs to defend itself, but that this war doesn’t escalate to become something broader, a regional war, a regional conflict. And that’s what you’re seeing us do.’

Concern has grown, however, that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu does not want a cease-fire. On CNN’s ‘State of the Union,’ deputy national security adviser Jonathan Finer said he could not weigh in on Biden’s private discussions with Netanyahu about a cease-fire deal, while noting that the two world leaders have a candid and long-established relationship. 

‘I won’t speak to the private conversations that take place between the president and the prime minister. What I will say is these are two people who have a four-decade-plus relationship. One of the extraordinary assets in the US-Israel relationship is this personal relationship between these two leaders in which they can speak to each other directly and candidly. That’s been the case since President Biden came to office, it’s certainly been the case since Oct. 7,’ Finer said when asked about Netanyahu potentially avoiding a cease-fire deal. 

‘The United States has been extremely clear, both publicly and privately, about how urgent we think it is that the cease-fire and hostage deal be established. Nothing that’s taken place over the last week or two has changed that sense of urgency, and if anything, part of why we believe this needs to happen as quickly as possible is because in the Middle East, at a time in which there are hostilities taking place, outside factors can infect and disrupt these talks. And so we don’t want to allow that to happen.’ 

Fox News Digital’s Stepheny Price contributed to this article. 

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS
0 comment
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

previous post
Kamala Harris faces crucial week ahead in 2024 presidential showdown with Donald Trump
next post
Biden to meet with national security team ahead of anticipated Iranian attack against Israel

related articles

Secret Service under pressure: What Kirk’s assassination means...

September 11, 2025

Israel’s strike in Qatar triggers rare US rebuke,...

September 11, 2025

What is a bolt action rifle? What we...

September 11, 2025

Ryan Routh chastised during opening statements in federal...

September 11, 2025

Country artist shares why he’s throwing his star...

September 11, 2025

Pastor recalls last moments with Charlie Kirk: ‘American...

September 11, 2025

EXCLUSIVE: House GOP report alleges $20B green grants...

September 11, 2025

Ryan Routh trial begins after jury seated in...

September 11, 2025

House Democrats open probe into FBI’s handling of...

September 11, 2025

JD Vance pens heartfelt tribute to Charlie Kirk...

September 11, 2025
Enter Your Information Below To Receive Free Trading Ideas, Latest News, And Articles.


Your information is secure and your privacy is protected. By opting in you agree to receive emails from us. Remember that you can opt-out any time, we hate spam too!

Latest News

  • Melania Trump speaks on Capitol Hill for first time in roundtable focused on punishing revenge porn

    March 3, 2025
  • Date set for Robert F Kennedy Jr’s Health secretary confirmation hearings

    January 24, 2025
  • Randall Terry on destroying the Democratic Party: ‘I’m running to be margin of defeat … in the swing states’

    August 21, 2024
  • Hegseth arrives for 1st day at Pentagon stressing Defense’s mission to protect ‘sovereign territory of the US’

    January 27, 2025
  • China says JD Vance’s comments about ‘peasants’ are ‘words that lack knowledge and respect’

    April 8, 2025

Popular Posts

  • 1

    Secret Service admits leaning on ‘state and local partners’ after claim it ignored Trump team’s past requests

    July 21, 2024
  • 2

    Five more House Democrats call on Biden to drop out, third US senator

    July 19, 2024
  • 3

    Elon and Vivek should tackle US funding for this boondoogle organization and score a multimillion dollar win

    December 4, 2024
  • 4

    Forex Profit Calculator: Maximize Your Trading Potential

    July 10, 2024
  • 5

    Biden calls to ‘lower the temperature’ then bashes Trump in NAACP speech

    July 17, 2024

Categories

  • Economy (829)
  • Editor's Pick (5,996)
  • Investing (634)
  • Stock (924)

Latest Posts

  • US accuses Denmark of treating Greenlanders as ‘second-class citizens’ during Vance visit to Arctic base

    March 28, 2025
  • ‘People are stretched’: Average consumer now carries $6,329 in credit card debt

    August 9, 2024
  • American Airlines flight carrying US lawmakers ‘bumped’ by second plane on tarmac in DC

    April 10, 2025

Recent Posts

  • Ex-Biden chief of staff giving ‘credible’ answers in House Oversight cover-up probe, lawmakers say

    July 24, 2025
  • Biden calls Russia prisoner swap deal that freed WSJ’s Gershkovich, Whelan a ‘feat of diplomacy’

    August 1, 2024
  • How technology has changed inauguration coverage

    January 20, 2025

Editor’s Pick

  • Google employees pressure costumed execs at all-hands meeting for clarity on cost cuts

    November 1, 2024
  • TikTok isn’t enough to stop Gen Z from drifting to AOC. Trump must do 3 things next

    August 22, 2025
  • EURAUD and EURNZD: EURAUD in a new bearish consolidation

    August 23, 2024
  • About us
  • Contacts
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

Disclaimer: moneyrisetoday.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

Copyright © 2025 moneyrisetoday.com | All Rights Reserved

Money Rise Today – Investing and Stock News
  • Economy
  • Editor’s Pick
Money Rise Today – Investing and Stock News
  • Investing
  • Stock