Military judge sets June 2028 trial for 9/11 suspect Khalid Sheikh Mohammed
Military judge schedules 9/11 trial for Khalid Sheikh Mohammed in June 2028.
Why it matters: Legal teams involved in national security and terrorism cases must prepare for prolonged litigation in one of the most significant terrorism prosecutions in U.S. history.
- Trial date set for June 5, 2028, by Air Force Lt. Col. Michael A. Schrama.
- Prosecutors sought January 2027 start, delayed due to unresolved evidence disputes.
- Defendants charged over 9/11 attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people.
- Previous 2021 trial date canceled; plea deal overturned and rejected by Biden admin.
On August 26, 2026, U.S. military judge Air Force Lt. Col. Michael A. Schrama officially set June 5, 2028, as the trial date for Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and three co-defendants charged with orchestrating the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, according to AP News. This schedule follows prosecutors' request for a January 2027 start, which the judge postponed citing ongoing disputes over what evidence can be admitted and other pretrial issues.
Khalid Sheikh Mohammed is accused of planning the attacks that resulted in nearly 3,000 deaths, including at the World Trade Center and Pentagon. He faces trial with three others—Walid bin Attash, Ramzi bin al-Shibh, and Mustafa al-Hawsawi—who remain detained at Guantanamo Bay, the U.S. naval base in Cuba.
A prior trial date set for 2021 was canceled amid procedural delays. Attempts to move the case forward included a plea deal offering life sentences without parole in exchange for full disclosure about the attacks. However, a federal appeals court overturned that agreement in 2023, and the Biden administration ultimately rejected it, complicating the path forward.
The military commissions system, which handles terrorism cases related to Guantanamo detainees, involves unique legal hurdles. This lengthy timeline reflects challenges such as classified evidence disputes and procedural protections for the defendants, making the trial one of the most complex in modern U.S. legal history. Government legal teams, white collar litigators, and national security practitioners should monitor developments closely as the case progresses.
Additional reporting by The New York Times.
By the numbers:
- June 5, 2028 — new trial date for 9/11 suspects
- Nearly 3,000 — deaths from the September 11 attacks
- 2023 — year federal appeals court overturned plea deal
Yes, but: The trial remains vulnerable to further delays due to classified evidence disputes and legal challenges unique to the military commissions process.
What's next: Legal teams await resolution of pretrial evidentiary disputes that have delayed trial start dates for years.