Lt. Col. Michael Schrama, an Air Force judge known for his expertise in military and environmental law, is overseeing the military commission in the 9/11 case. Recently, he dismissed Khalid Sheikh Mohammed’s 2007 confession, citing that it wasn’t given voluntarily. This ruling adds complexity to the long-awaited trial of the alleged mastermind behind the Sept. 11 attacks.
Schrama rejected a proposal to start the trial in January 2027, postponing it to June 2028. The decision, which was initially not made public, has attracted criticism. Journalist Gerald Posner labeled it a “shameful prelude to the 9/11 anniversary.” The scrutiny also brought back Schrama’s 2023 essay “Creating a Codified Legal Response to Domestic Extremism in the Ranks,” published in “War on the Rocks.”
In his essay, Schrama suggested amending military law to tackle rising domestic extremism among service members. He highlighted evidence showing military personnel are vulnerable to extremist recruitment. Military members were involved in 17.6% of domestic terrorism plots, according to a 2021 study by the Center for Strategic & International Studies.
Schrama noted that 12% of those charged with crimes during the Jan. 6 Capitol riot had military experience. He argued that military institutions often grow conservative and isolated, making young members targets for right-wing extremist groups.
He criticized existing laws, stating they lack provisions for addressing domestic extremism. He proposed codifying it as a military offense to empower commanders to deal with these issues effectively.
Schrama referenced a 2019 case involving Coast Guard officer Hasson, who pleaded guilty to gun and drug charges. The lack of a domestic terrorism statute led prosecutors to pursue lesser charges, despite Hasson being described as a domestic terrorist.
Ronald Flesvig, spokesperson for the Military Commissions Convening Authority, declined to comment on Schrama’s ruling and essay, citing the judge’s publication in a personal capacity.
The case involving Mohammed and his co-defendants has been in pretrial stages for years, with Schrama being the fifth judge on the case since 2025. The situation drew criticism from Stephen Mueller, a senior White House advisor, who expressed disdain for the judicial system’s perceived lenience towards criminals.
Mueller described the system as broken, siding with criminals and failing to protect innocent Americans. His statements reflect ongoing concern about the handling of significant national security cases.