Convicted 9/11 Plotter Seeks Transfer, Citing Trump Re-election Execution Fears

Well, folks, it seems even hardened terrorists are feeling the jitters about the upcoming election. Zacarias Moussaoui, the only person convicted for the 9/11 attacks, is so spooked by the prospect of a Trump comeback that he’s begging to be shipped off to France. But before we break out the world’s smallest violin, let’s dive into this bizarre tale of a desperate man and the political storm he’s stirred up.

The Transfer Request

Zacarias Moussaoui, currently serving a life sentence without parole at the Administrative Maximum Facility in Florence, Colorado, has made a surprising move. In a handwritten letter to U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema, Moussaoui requested a transfer to France, citing fears of execution if Donald Trump is re-elected president – “Your honor might concur that there is a possibility of, not a probability, that if the ex-U.S. President Donald Trump was to be reelected, he will sentence me to death by presidential executive order.”

Convicted 9/11 terrorist seeks transfer to France over fears of Trump-ordered executionhttps://t.co/zKH0lWhTBe pic.twitter.com/wol32uQrQ3

— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) July 24, 2024

Moussaoui’s concerns stem from the possibility of being labeled a threat to the security of the United States of America under a potential Trump administration. However, legal experts, including Cornell Law School Professor William Jacobson, have refuted the notion that a U.S. president can order an execution by executive order.

Political Reactions

The transfer request has sparked outrage among Republican lawmakers and Senators, who are urging President Biden and Attorney General Merrick Garland to ignore Moussaoui’s plea.

Critics have highlighted France’s opposition to the death penalty and historical challenges in extraditing criminals from France. A dozen Senators have sent a letter demanding that Moussaoui remain imprisoned in the U.S. The Department of Justice spokesperson has emphasized that Moussaoui’s life sentence is to be enforced in U.S. custody.

Background and Implications

Moussaoui was arrested a month before the 9/11 attacks and later pleaded guilty to federal conspiracy charges. The attacks, carried out by 19 al-Qaeda terrorists who hijacked four planes, resulted in nearly 3,000 deaths.

This case raises questions about the long-term custody of high-profile terrorists and the potential impact of political shifts on their treatment. It also highlights the ongoing sensitivity surrounding 9/11-related issues and the complex relationship between the U.S. and its allies in matters of national security and criminal justice.