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Victims' families urge Trump administration to hold Saudi Arabia accountable for 9/11

Speakers at Ground Zero criticized past administrations for shielding the kingdom, which denies any involvement.

The short version

  • During remarks at Ground Zero, 9/11 widow Terry Strada criticized successive U.S. administrations for allegedly protecting Saudi Arabia and withholding evidence.[The Hill]
  • Speakers called on the Trump administration to acknowledge the kingdom's alleged ties to the attacks and release unredacted government files.[The Hill]
  • Saudi Arabia continues to deny having any role in facilitating the 2001 terrorist attacks.[ABC News]

Key facts

  • Terry Strada called on the Trump administration to recognize Saudi Arabia's alleged ties to the 9/11 attacks during a memorial service at Ground Zero.[The Hill]
  • Strada argued that consecutive U.S. administrations shielded Saudi Arabia instead of supporting victim families and withheld evidence.[The Hill]
  • The Saudi government has repeatedly denied any role in facilitating the attacks, stating it is an ally of the U.S. and an enemy of al Qaeda.[ABC News]
  • A federal judge previously determined that reasonable evidence exists showing two Saudi employees assisted two future al Qaeda hijackers.[Fox News]
  • President Barack Obama vetoed the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act in 2016, though Congress subsequently overrode the veto.[Fox News]
  • Another speaker at the memorial urged President Trump to make unredacted government files public.[The Hill]

What remains uncertain

  • The extent to which Saudi government employees or officials were involved in supporting the 9/11 hijackers remains disputed and unproven in court.[ABC News · Fox News]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.