The Biden administration is seeking to block a plea deal with three Guantánamo Bay detainees, including 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammad. The deal would see the defendants avoid the death penalty.

The government argues that the plea deals would deprive the public of a trial and the possibility of capital punishment. They also argue that once the pleas are accepted, there is no way to return to the status quo.

The plea deal was struck over the summer and approved by the top official of the Guantánamo military commission. However, the Pentagon revoked the deals in July.

The Biden administration announced the transfer of 11 Yemeni detainees, including two former bodyguards for Osama bin Laden, to Cuba on Monday. The transfer was carried out as part of an early morning secret operation.