Guantánamo Trials Thrown into Disarray by Defense Secretary's Reversal

Lloyd Austin's decision to overrule plea deals for 9/11 defendants prolongs a legal quagmire and raises questions of command influence.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin revoked pretrial agreements for three 9/11 defendants, including Khalid Sheikh Mohammed.
The plea deals, which took years to negotiate, would have precluded death sentences and waived appellate review.
Austin's intervention has led to accusations of unlawful command influence and could result in prolonged litigation.
The Guantánamo military commissions have been criticized for their inefficiency and high costs, with few convictions over two decades.
Family members of 9/11 victims are divided on the decision, with some seeking closure and others demanding a full trial.