US President Donald Trump on Sunday said he would look into requests from families of the September 11 victims to release records that could shed light on Saudi Arabia’s alleged role in the attacks 25 years ago. The families have been seeking the declassification of the records as part of a long-running effort to establish what they say was Saudi involvement.
Speaking during his trip to Ireland, Trump said he would consider the request after returning to Washington. The issue has remained central to a lengthy legal battle by relatives of the victims against Saudi Arabia, which has long denied any role in the attacks.
Several families have long alleged that a group of extremist religious leaders in Saudi Arabia gained influence in the Saudi government and aided the hijackers. Fifteen of the 19 hijackers were Saudis, but the Saudi government has consistently denied any involvement in the attacks.
The families have asked Trump to declassify and release the relevant records. Asked about the matter on Sunday, just before boarding Air Force One to return to Washington after a weekend in Ireland, Trump said, “I’m going to look at it when I get back. I know they asked me Friday.”
One of the relatives, Terry Strada, called on Trump during the remembrance in New York City on Friday to “tell the Saudis to stop lying”. Strada, who lost her husband Tom Strada on 9/11, said US presidents had chosen “to protect the Saudis instead of standing with the 9/11 families”.
Strada, who was among the 9/11 family members who read aloud the names of victims at this year’s remembrance, added that the current administration should “stand with the families, stand with the survivors”. “It has been one betrayal after another,” she said. “President Trump can still change that.” Trump has now said he will examine the families’ request to release the records linked to the case.
With PTI Inputs
– Ends
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