John Kirby dodges grilling over plea agreement for 9/11 terrorists:

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White House National Security Council communications adviser John Kirby on Sunday dodged answering questions regarding the abrupt plea deal reversal provided to a trio of 9/11 terrorists last week.

“Is the president willing to let these terrorists escape the harshest penalty in the system of justice and let that be part of his legacy?” Fox News’ Jacqui Heinrich asked Kirby during an interview on “Fox News Sunday.”

“Again, this was a decision made by a convening authority in the military chain of command, an independent convening authority,” Kirby responded.

“He didn’t weigh in at all?” Heinrich pressed.

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National Security Council spokesman John Kirby speaks during the daily briefing at the White House on Jan. 31, 2024. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images)

“The secretary of defense has the authority to change the delegation of that – of that authority to the convening authority,” Kirby continued. “I know that sounds kind of complicated, but he has the authority to do that. He did this on his own.”

“But did the president weigh in?” Heinrich asked again.

“This was a decision made by the secretary of defense,” Kirby said, sparking Heinrich to say that she “didn’t hear an answer.”

The Department of Defense announced last week the Convening Authority for Military Commissions entered into pretrial agreements with Khalid Shaikh Mohammad, Walid Muhammad Salih Mubarak Bin ‘Attash, and Mustafa Ahmed Adam al Hawsawi. The agreement included taking the death penalty off of the table for the three 9/11 plotters.

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As outrage mounted over the agreement, the White House said Biden did not play a role in the deal.