Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021
Did President Biden pledge to change the government’s stance on disclosing additional evidence about the 9/11 attacks?
In October 2020, a letter by then-presidential candidate Joe Biden pledged that his future administration’s attorney general would personally examine the merits of requests to release FBI information related to the 9/11 attacks. He said that he would adhere to Obama-era guidance that invokes state secrets privilege using a “narrowly tailored” approach, that is, only to the extent necessary to protect against the risk of “significant harm to national security” or “embarrassment to a person or organization.” The White House press secretary said in August 2021 that President Biden remains committed to this pledge.
A group of 9/11 survivors, victims’ family members and first responders have sought more disclosures about the attacks, specifically about the role of Saudi Arabian officials in assisting the hijackers. They have called on Biden to value “America’s citizens over diplomatic relations” with the country.
This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
- Biden for President Biden campaign letter, October 7, 2020
- White House Press briefing by press secretary Jen Psaki, August 6, 2021
- Members of the 9/11 community Statement by 9/11 families, August 6, 2021
- CNBC 9/11 families ask Biden not to attend memorial events unless he declassifies documents on Saudis
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