Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the alleged mastermind behind the September 11 attacks, is set for trial in June 2028. This decision follows a ruling excluding key confession statements made by Mohammed, aiming to prevent further delays in the proceedings.

The federal government opted not to appeal the ruling that invalidated Mohammed’s 2007 statements to the FBI. This approach preserves the set trial date, as appeals often extend for years, compounding delays already experienced by the families of the nearly 3,000 victims. Mohammed, along with co-conspirators Walid bin Attash, Mustafa al-Hawsawi, and Ammar al-Baluchi, has been held at Guantanamo Bay since 2003.

The confession from Mohammed was initially planned for use by prosecutors but was suppressed by Lt. Col. Michael Schrama. He cited severe coercion and lack of legal counsel for Mohammed as grounds for this decision. The trial date was set after Mohammed’s confession was excluded.

Noteworthy is the previously agreed plea deal in 2024 between Mohammed, two co-defendants, and the Biden administration. This arrangement would have avoided the death penalty, but public backlash led to its revocation, resulting in extended litigation.

Meanwhile, pressure mounts from 9/11 families urging the Trump administration to release classified documents detailing Saudi Arabia’s alleged involvement in the attacks.