9/11 families against Saudi Arabia: "We can't trust them"
Families of 9/11 victims are opposing President Trump's approval of civilian nuclear reactors in Saudi Arabia. They demand the kingdom acknowledge its involvement in the attacks and seek to use the nuclear deal as leverage to uncover the truth. Senators are calling for the disclosure of secret side agreements.
Families of the victims of the September 11 attacks are preparing for a fierce battle against President Donald Trump's approval of civilian nuclear reactors in Saudi Arabia. The families, represented by Terry Strada, chair of "9/11 Families United," argue that Saudi Arabia is not worthy of trust and is responsible for the murder of 3,000 people without ever admitting it. Activists hope to use the nuclear deal approval process, which would allow American companies to work with the Saudis on projects worth billions of dollars, as leverage to pressure the Saudi government to admit its involvement in the terrorist attacks. Meanwhile, senators are demanding the White House release secret "side agreements" made with the Saudis. Senator Richard Blumenthal (Democrat-Connecticut), who has worked for years to expose documents on Saudi Arabia's role in 9/11, stated he would oppose or at least question the nuclear deal until the families' lawsuits are resolved. A coalition of families is suing the kingdom in federal court, as 15 of the 19 hijackers were Saudi citizens. The Saudi government has strongly denied involvement in the attacks and claims its nuclear program is peaceful and transparent. President Donald Trump said last week he would "review" the release of 9/11 documents concerning Saudi Arabia's role, following an emotional speech by Terry Strada at the 25th anniversary ceremony of the attacks. Strada, who lost her husband in the attacks, is not only interested in documents but demands President Trump pressure the kingdom to stop denying its responsibility. White House spokesperson Olivia Wyles stated that "the president will always honor the American heroes who were lost."