President Donald Trump stated Sunday that he will review requests from families of Sept. 11 victims to release classified records that could offer more information about Saudi Arabia's alleged role in the attacks. Families have long alleged that extremist religious leaders within the Saudi government aided the 19 hijackers, 15 of whom were Saudi nationals. The Saudi government has consistently denied any involvement.
Trump made the remarks just before boarding Air Force One to return to Washington after a weekend trip to Ireland. "I'm going to look at it when I get back," he said. "I know they asked me Friday."
Relatives of 9/11 victims have pursued a protracted legal battle against Saudi Arabia. Terry Strada, who lost her husband Tom Strada on 9/11, urged Trump during a Sept. 11 remembrance event in New York City to "tell the Saudis to stop lying." Strada expressed that U.S. presidents have historically chosen to "protect the Saudis instead of standing with the 9/11 families."
Strada, who read victims' names at the recent remembrance ceremony, added that the current administration should "stand with the families, stand with the survivors." She characterized the situation as "one betrayal after another" and stated that "President Trump can still change that."