9/11 families urge Trump to release unredacted Saudi Arabia files

Key Points:

• On the 25th anniversary of 9/11, families of victims urged President Trump to release unredacted files that they believe could implicate Saudi Arabia in the attacks, accusing successive U.S. administrations of protecting the kingdom instead of supporting the families.
• Terry Strada, whose husband died in the attacks, criticized past presidents including Barack Obama for vetoing the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA) in 2016, which was later overridden by Congress to allow lawsuits against Saudi Arabia.
• The families' claims focus on Saudi nationals Omar al-Bayoumi and Fahad al-Thumairy, who allegedly assisted hijackers in the U.S., though the 9/11 Commission did not find conclusive evidence of official Saudi government involvement.
• A 2025 court ruling allowed claims against Saudi Arabia to proceed toward trial, intensifying calls for transparency and accountability, with families urging Trump to release additional FBI and intelligence materials to help resolve longstanding questions.
• Loved ones of victims and first responders emphasized the enduring pain and unresolved grief, stressing the importance of remembrance and justice as they gathered at the memorial alongside former presidents and officials.