Biden Orders Release of 9/11 Investigation Documents

U.S. President Joe Biden ordered on Friday that documents remaining classified from the U.S. government's investigation into the September 11 attacks be released within the next six months. This decision comes in response to pressure from the families of approximately 3,000 individuals who were killed by al-Qaeda on September 11, 2001. Biden stated, "Today, I signed an executive order directing the Department of Justice and other relevant agencies to oversee a review for the declassification of documents related to the FBI investigations of 9/11." He added that the declassification should take effect within "the next six months." Biden emphasized, "We must never forget the ongoing pain of the families and loved ones of the 2,977 innocent people killed during the worst terrorist attack against America in our history." This step comes ahead of the 20th anniversary of the attack that prompted then-President George W. Bush to issue orders to invade Afghanistan shortly afterward, as the Taliban provided refuge to al-Qaeda leaders. Biden withdrew the last American soldier from Afghanistan this week, concluding an unprecedented evacuation from Kabul airport after the Taliban regained power. A portion of the investigation remains highly classified and cannot be released. In the executive order initiating the declassification process, Biden noted that "the events occurred over two decades ago and relate to a tragic moment that still resonates in American history." He added, "Therefore, it is essential to ensure that the U.S. government promotes transparency to the fullest extent possible."