Donald Trump said on Sunday that he will look into requests from families of 9/11 victims to release records that could shed light on Saudi Arabia's alleged role in the attacks 25 years ago. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing The Guardian.
Several families have long alleged that a group of extremist religious leaders in Saudi Arabia gained influence in the kingdom's government and aided the hijackers. Fifteen of the 19 hijackers were Saudis, but the Saudi government has long denied any involvement in the attacks.
The families have asked Trump to declassify and release the relevant records. Asked about it on Sunday during his trip to Ireland, the president said he would consider it.
"I'm going to look at it when I get back," Trump said just before boarding Air Force One to return to Washington after a weekend in Ireland. "I know they asked me Friday."
The relatives of 9/11 victims have been engaged in a lengthy legal battle against the Saudis. One of them, Terry Strada, called on Trump during a remembrance in New York City on Friday to "tell the Saudis to stop lying".
Strada, who lost her husband, Tom, on 9/11, said US presidents had chosen "to protect the Saudis instead of standing with the 9/11 families".
Strada, who was one of the 9/11 family members who read aloud the names of victims at the remembrance on the 25th anniversary of the attacks, 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's statement came after commemorative events marking the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. He promised to consider the issue after returning from his vacation in Ireland.
The question of Saudi Arabia's involvement in the attacks of September 11, 2001 has been discussed for decades. Despite the fact that 15 of the 19 hijackers were citizens of Saudi Arabia, the kingdom's government denies any involvement.
Family representatives have long alleged that a group of extremist religious leaders in Saudi Arabia gained influence in the kingdom's government and aided the hijackers. These allegations formed the basis of a lengthy legal battle against Saudi Arabia.
Terry Strada lost her husband Tom on 9/11. She spoke as national chair of 9/11 Families United at a remembrance ceremony in New York City on September 11, 2026, marking the 25th anniversary of the attacks. She was also one of the 9/11 family members who read aloud the names of victims at the remembrance.
Strada said US presidents had chosen "to protect the Saudis instead of standing with the 9/11 families". She 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 responded to a question on the matter on Sunday during his trip to Ireland. He spoke just before boarding Air Force One to return to Washington after a weekend in Ireland.
"I'm going to look at it when I get back," Trump said. "I know they asked me Friday."
Thus, the request from families of 9/11 victims to declassify records about Saudi Arabia's alleged involvement in the attacks remains under consideration by the US president. Trump said he would consider the issue after returning from Ireland.