US President Joe Biden signed an executive order directing the declassification of documents related to the 9/11 attacks that led to the death of over 3,000 as the 20th-anniversary of the tragic event approaches.
As per the executive order, the Department of Justice, as well as other federal agencies, are obligated to conduct a declassification review of several documents related to the FBI’s probe into 9/11.
This was one of Biden’s electoral promises. He said he is honoring his commitment as we approach the 20th 9/11 anniversary. “When I ran for president, I made a commitment to ensuring transparency regarding the declassification of documents on the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on America […] As we approach the 20th anniversary of that tragic day, I am honoring that commitment.”
The Biden-signed executive order explained that the American people deserve to have a fuller picture of what their government knows about the attacks.
“Information collected and generated in the United States Government’s investigation of the 9/11 terrorist attacks should now be disclosed, except when the strongest possible reasons counsel otherwise,” the executive order said.
Biden’s signing of said order comes about a month after nearly 1,600 people released a letter calling on the president to stay away from Ground Zero – the name of the World Trade Center site – on the anniversary if more information regarding 9/11 is not disclosed.
The United States is preparing for a commemoration of the 9/11 attacks next week. It will be held in New York and attended by President Biden.
