9/11 Justice Demand
9/11 Family Advocate Criticizes U.S. Administrations Over Alleged Saudi Ties
Anonymous
Key Points
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Strada’s husband, Tom, was 41 when he was killed, and she was left to raise three children, including one who was less than a week old. She said pursuing the truth was a way to honor his memory and help protect the country.
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Strada specifically accused past administrations of vetoing the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA), in addition to withholding evidence and breaking promises. Barack Obama had opposed the legislation, arguing that it was not in the best interests of the United States.
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The civil case is intended to secure more than symbolic accountability: Strada said families have spent years seeking “a modicum of justice through our court system” and described the long wait for progress as feeling like “several lifetimes.”
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Strada directly instructed Vice President JD Vance, who was attending the ceremony, to carry her message to the administration: “Stand with the families, stand with the survivors. Stand with Americans.”
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Saudi Arabia’s lawyers have argued in the lawsuit that the kingdom helped the United States combat al-Qaida, Osama bin Laden and terrorism generally, directly challenging the families’ allegations of official support for the attackers.
At Ground Zero's 25th-anniversary ceremony, Terry Strada broke from the program to confront the United States government over Saudi Arabia. ABC45 reported that Strada, whose husband Tom died in the World Trade Center attacks, accused successive administrations of protecting the kingdom rather than supporting 9/11 families. She called for President Trump to press Saudi leaders to acknowledge their role and the families' suffering.
Strada's plea drew sustained applause before Vice President JD Vance and other officials. More than 80,000 FBI records remain classified, while investigations have documented ties between a Saudi family in Sarasota and multiple hijackers. The families' allegations are part of a long-running civil lawsuit against Saudi Arabia, which denies involvement and claims it has opposed al-Qaida and terrorism.
A Mother's Two Decades of Loss
Tom Strada was 41 when he died on September 11. Terry was left to raise three children alone—one less than a week old. She said pursuing the truth honors his memory and helps protect the country. ABC45 reported that Strada spent years seeking "a modicum of justice through our court system."
The wait has felt unbearable. Strada described it as lasting "several lifetimes." She directly instructed Vice President Vance: "Stand with the families, stand with the survivors. Stand with Americans."
Why Past Presidents Blocked Legal Action
Strada accused Bush, Obama, and Biden of blocking justice for 9/11 families. She specifically named the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA). News4SanAntonio reported that President Obama opposed JASTA, arguing it was not in the best interests of the United States. Congress passed it in 2016 over his veto.
JASTA created an exception allowing terrorism-related civil claims against foreign states whose conduct allegedly contributed to attacks in the United States. It enabled 9/11 families to pursue Saudi Arabia in U.S. courts. But the law did not establish Saudi responsibility or guarantee compensation.
Evidence of Saudi Connections Remains Murky
Investigations have uncovered suspicious ties. A prominent Saudi family in Sarasota had contact with multiple hijackers. Other Saudi citizens with royal family connections reportedly left Tampa shortly after the attacks. KUTV reported that the significance of those contacts remains disputed among investigators and experts.
More than 80,000 FBI records linked to the case stay classified. Saudi Arabia's lawyers argue that the kingdom helped the United States combat al-Qaida and terrorism. The civil lawsuit has advanced but has not yet produced a final finding of liability. Senator Richard Blumenthal warned Riyadh that the claims could affect congressional support for a U.S.-Saudi defense pact or nuclear agreement.
A Conflict Between Partnership and Accountability
The case exposes a deep tension in U.S.-Saudi relations. Washington relies on Saudi Arabia for regional security and broader geopolitical coordination. At the same time, families demand disclosure, acknowledgment, and damages. This explains why successive administrations have struggled to balance victims' claims against diplomatic and security interests.
Strada remains hopeful that the courts will eventually deliver justice. Fox23 reported that she said the effort had taken far too long. But she views the legal battle as essential to honoring the dead and protecting the nation from future attacks.
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