From Fortune · The Associated Press · · 1m 20s
9/11 families want the Saudi files opened
Twenty-five years on, victims' relatives are asking Trump to declassify what the U.S. knows about Saudi links to the hijackers.
In brief
Twenty-five years on, victims' relatives are asking Trump to declassify what the U.S. knows about Saudi links to the hijackers. The records that could settle Saudi Arabia's role in 9/11 still sit classified, and releasing them is a presidential decision Trump says he will consider. Originally reported by Fortune.
Trump says he'll look
Asked on Sunday in Ireland about the families' request, the president said he would consider releasing the records. He noted the ask came to him on Friday.
“I'm going to look at it when I get back”
What the families allege
Relatives say a circle of extremist religious leaders gained influence inside the Saudi government and helped the hijackers carry out the attacks.
Fifteen of nineteen
Fifteen of the 19 hijackers were Saudi nationals. The Saudi government has denied any involvement in the attacks for a quarter century.
A 25-year legal fight
The families have been locked in a long court battle against the Saudis, and they want the classified records unsealed to back their case.
Stop lying, one widow said
Terry Strada, who lost her husband Tom on 9/11, read victims' names at Friday's New York remembrance and called on Trump directly from the podium.
“tell the Saudis to stop lying”
One betrayal after another
Strada said past presidents chose to protect the Saudis rather than the families. She asked this administration to stand with survivors instead.
“President Trump can still change that.”
The bottom line
The records that could settle Saudi Arabia's role in 9/11 still sit classified, and releasing them is a presidential decision Trump says he will consider.
