President Joe Biden on Friday signed an executive order directing the declassification of certain documents related to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Many Americans continue to seek full accountability for the horrific attacks of September 11, 2001 (9/11), including 9/11 survivors and victims’ family members, the American people deserve to have a fuller picture of what their government knows about those attacks, the executive order said.
“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 stated.
The family of 9/11 survivors and victims have been asking the U.S. government for the records for a long time.
Just one week ahead of the 20th anniversary of the attacks, the order is a significant moment in a years-long tussle between the government and the families over what classified information about the run-up to the attacks could be made public.
Last month, the conflict was on display when some 1,800 relatives, survivors, and first responders opposed Biden’s participation in 9/11 events if the documents remained declassified.
“The significant events in question occurred two decades ago or longer, and they concern a tragic moment that continues to resonate in American history and in the lives of so many Americans,” the executive order said.
“It is therefore critical to ensure that the United States Government maximizes transparency, relying on classification only when narrowly tailored and necessary,” added the order.
The order has directed the Justice Department and other executive branch agencies to begin a declassification review and requires that declassified documents be released over the next six months.
Read the full executive order here.
(With inputs from agencies)
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