Numerous victims’ families of 9/11 told President Joe Biden in a letter to not attend events of the 20th Anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001, unless he declassify reports, which they charge Saudi officials supporting acts of terrorism, NBC reported Aug. 6. Events are expected in New York and Shanksville, Penn., and the Pentagon to honor those murdered by al Qaeda.
“We cannot in good faith, and with veneration to those lost, sick, and injured, welcome the president to our hallowed grounds until he fulfills his commitment,” the families of 9/11 wrote in a statement to Biden.
“Since the conclusion of the 9/11 Commission in 2004 much investigative evidence has been uncovered implicating Saudi government officials in supporting the attacks,” the statement added. “Through multiple administrations, the Department of Justice and the FBI have actively sought to keep this information secret and prevent the American people from learning the full truth about the 9/11 attacks.”
As a candidate, Biden said he would be more transparent.
“I intend to be a President for all Americans, and will hear all of their voices,” Biden wrote. “The 9/11 Families are right to seek full truth and accountability. … I will direct my Attorney General to personally examine the merits of all cases where the invocation of privilege is recommended, and to err on the side of disclosure in cases where, as here, the events in question occurred two decades or longer ago.”
Letters from the families have been ignored by the administration, but former President Barack Obama and Donald Trump also declined to declassify supporting records.
“We are frustrated, tired, and saddened with the fact that the U.S. government for 20 years has chosen to keep information about the death of our loved ones behind lock and key,” Brett Eagleson, whose father, died at the World Trade Center told NBC.
Over 1,800 people were killed in the attacks on 9/11, injuring over 6,000 after al Qaeda hijacked four airplanes with 19 hijackers on board. The event defined President George Bush’s time in office.
“Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shatter steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve,” said Bush.
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-Corine Gatti-Santillo