Plea deals revived for alleged 9/11 mastermind, 2 others, official says

A military judge has ruled that plea agreements made by alleged Sept. 11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and two co-defendants are valid, despite Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s attempt to void them. The agreements would spare the defendants from the death penalty in exchange for guilty pleas. The decision has caused political backlash, particularly from Republican lawmakers. The judge’s ruling stated that Austin did not have the authority to throw out the deals after they had been approved by Guantanamo’s top official. The Pentagon is reviewing the decision, and the case continues to face delays and legal challenges.