Twenty-five years after the tragic events of September 11, families of the nearly 3,000 victims are still waiting for justice. The accused plotters, including the alleged mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, are scheduled for trial on June 5, 2028, a date that remains tentative.

A recent ruling by a military judge excluded statements Mohammed made to FBI agents, highlighting ongoing legal hurdles. This has added to the frustration of families and first responders who have witnessed years of delays due to evidence obtained through coerced confessions, collapsed plea deals, and changes in military judges.

‘It’s like an open sore,’ says John Ryan, a former Port Authority Police chief involved in the Ground Zero recovery. ‘We still have not achieved justice for the five individuals held at Guantánamo Bay.’

Mohammed and three other defendants have been held for years without trial for their alleged roles in the plot. A fifth defendant, Ramzi bin al-Shibh, is being treated separately due to mental incompetency.

The government’s decision not to appeal the judge’s decision on Mohammed’s 2007 statements is an attempt to preserve the tentative trial date. The judge adjusted the start to 18 months after the prosecution’s proposal to resolve various legal disputes.

For families, the delays are a continuous source of pain. Sean Passananti, who lost his father, remarked on the surreal nature of fighting for justice so long after the attacks. Dennis McGinley, who lost his brother, emphasized the never-ending grief, calling for a resolution to this ‘American embarrassment.’

Ryan, who lost 37 colleagues, expressed disbelief at the prolonged process. ‘They’ve all admitted their involvement,’ he said, frustrated by the lack of a verdict after 25 years.

The case has faced numerous disruptions, from changes in presiding judges to the pandemic and a failed plea agreement in 2024. Previous efforts to move the trial have also been thwarted.

The ongoing civil lawsuit by 9/11 families against Saudi Arabia intersects with the military commission case but focuses on different allegations. Families hope a trial in the civil case may reveal more about the support structures behind the attacks.

The lengthy process spans generations of victims’ loved ones, leaving older family members anxious they might not witness a verdict. If the current schedule is adhered to, proceedings would start almost 27 years after the attacks.

‘Our justice system should work promptly,’ Ryan noted, emphasizing that the focus should be on victims.