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As Saudi Crown Prince Visits D.C., 9/11 Families Demand Accountability
A cohort of 9/11 survivors, first responders, and family members of victims are urging President Donald Trump to demand Saudi Arabia acknowledge its alleged role in the September 11 attacks, ahead of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to Washington on Tuesday.
The call comes weeks after United States federal district court judge George B. Daniels ruled against Saudi Arabia’s efforts to dismiss a lawsuit brought by families of 9/11 victims. Daniels’ decision to allow the case to proceed to trial appeared to validate the plaintiffs’ claims, with the judge stating in his August 2025 ruling that Saudi government agents provided “essential support” for the hijackers.
“The backdrop to this visit is the recent ruling of a federal judge in New York that Saudi Arabia must stand trial for its role in the 9/11 terrorist attacks that murdered 3,000 of our loved ones,” said Brett Eagleson, president of 9/11 Justice, whose father died in the attacks.
“As Washington prepares to roll out the red carpet for the Saudi Crown Prince, we want to shine a spotlight on the facts found by the court, the overwhelming evidence of Saudi government support for the 9/11 plot, and the families’ nearly 25-year fight for justice,” Eagleson added.
This statement follows a similar appeal to Trump from 9/11 Families United, another group representing victims and their families, which was released last week.
Judge Daniels’ August ruling is the latest development in a protracted legal battle that began in 2002. While Saudi Arabia has consistently denied any government involvement in directing individuals accused of conspiring with the hijackers, Daniels said he found it “more likely than not” that there was “some connection.”
The allegations focus on Omar al-Bayoumi and Sheikh Al Fahad Thumairy, two individuals whom the 9/11 victims allege helped the hijackers. According to declassified FBI documents cited in the court ruling, Bayoumi had significant ties to the Saudi government. He allegedly assisted the hijackers in finding an apartment, co-signed their lease, and listed himself as the apartment’s guarantor.
Bayoumi has claimed such assistance was merely customary hospitality within the Islamic community for newcomers.
Evidence presented in court also showed Bayoumi traveling to Washington, D.C., alongside two Saudi government officials employed by the embassy. Both officials, Mutaeb Al-Sudairy and Adel Al-sadhan, had connections to Thumairy, whom they reportedly met in Los Angeles between December 1998 and January 1999 for an Islamic event.
According to Judge Daniels’ ruling, after spending several days in Los Angeles, the two Saudi officials traveled to San Diego, where they stayed with Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the alleged mastermind of the 9/11 attacks. A subsequent letter from Bayoumi to Thumairy thanked him for coordinating the trip that “provid[ed] us with brothers Mutaeb Al-Sudairy and Adel Al-sadhan.”
Thumairy, who departed the United States for Saudi Arabia shortly before the 9/11 attacks, is accused of meeting with the hijackers when they first arrived in California in early 2000. He denies this allegation despite being photographed with them, according to Daniels. Federal agents found Bayoumi in possession of a notepad containing various airplane drawings, calculations, and notes when they located him in 2001.
President Trump is scheduled to host the Crown Prince for talks on Tuesday. Improving diplomatic relations between the two nations has been a priority for the administration, with Trump having visited Saudi Arabia in May—his first major international trip of his second term.
“I hope that Saudi Arabia will be going into the Abraham Accords very shortly,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Friday ahead of this week’s meeting in Washington, according to the Associated Press.
The ongoing legal proceedings and calls for accountability from 9/11 victim groups present a complex backdrop to the high-level diplomatic engagement, highlighting the tension between geopolitical interests and the pursuit of justice for one of America’s most traumatic national tragedies.
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12 Comments
The recent court ruling appears to lend credence to the 9/11 families’ claims. However, the geopolitical considerations at play during the Crown Prince’s visit will be paramount. I’m curious to see how the US government navigates this sensitive issue.
Balancing accountability and diplomacy will be crucial. The administration will need to tread carefully to find a solution that satisfies the families’ demands while preserving key international relationships.
While the court’s ruling appears to validate the 9/11 families’ claims, the broader geopolitical context must be considered. I wonder how the US government will balance accountability and diplomacy during the Crown Prince’s visit.
This is a challenging situation that requires careful deliberation. The administration will need to weigh multiple factors to determine the best course of action.
Holding Saudi Arabia accountable for any potential role in 9/11 is a complex and sensitive issue. I’m curious to hear more about the court’s findings and what steps the US government might take to address this during the Crown Prince’s visit.
Agreed, transparency and accountability are crucial when it comes to such a tragic event. Careful diplomacy will be needed to navigate this difficult situation.
The 9/11 families’ call for Saudi accountability is understandable, but the diplomatic implications of this issue cannot be ignored. I’ll be watching closely to see how the Trump administration handles this delicate situation.
Agreed, this is a complex matter that requires nuanced diplomacy. The administration will need to find a way to address the families’ concerns while maintaining critical strategic relationships.
The 9/11 attacks were a devastating tragedy, and the victims’ families deserve answers. I’m interested to see how the Trump administration handles the Crown Prince’s visit in light of the court’s findings.
Agreed, this is a complex issue with significant political and diplomatic ramifications. The administration will need to navigate it skillfully.
The 9/11 families’ call for Saudi accountability is understandable given the recent court ruling. However, the geopolitical implications of this issue must be carefully considered during the Crown Prince’s visit.
This is a delicate balance between seeking justice and maintaining strategic relationships. The US government will need to tread carefully on this matter.