9/11 Conspiracy Theories | Graphic by Grace Merkle | The Wright State Guardian
As the United States commemorates the twentieth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Wright State University (WSU) students provide insight on major conspiracy theories surrounding the event.
The Bush Administration
Several theories developed over the years surrounding the idea of the United States government having planned 9/11, including the idea that the Bush Administration was involved in 9/11. The Bush Administration theory has many believers because there is the belief that the former president had information regarding the potential attack that he ignored.
“…CIA Director George Tenet and National Security Council counterterrorism “czar” Richard Clarke both warned its incoming officials that al-Qaeda represented a grave threat,” Atlantic Political Writer Peter Beinart wrote in a 2015 article. “But both Clarke and Tenet grew deeply frustrated by the way top Bush officials responded.”
Beinart goes on to describe several other events that occurred from Jan. 2001 through Sept. 2001 that explain how a plan was being developed to investigate the al-Qaeda situation that President Bush never signed off on.
“On the morning of September 11, 2001, Clarke’s anti-al-Qaeda plan was sitting on Bush’s desk, awaiting his signature. It was the ninth National Security Presidential Directive of his presidency,” Beinart wrote.
Although Beinart provides evidence to support the idea that the Bush Administration did not do all they could to prevent 9/11, some WSU students are skeptical of this thinking.
“I don’t think it’s realistic to believe that a U.S president would purposefully ignore evidence of a [terrorist] attack,” sophomore Gilbert Garcia said. “The argument can be convincing, but why would anyone deliberately ignore something like that?”
Military told not to respond
The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) is trained to aid the United States and Canada in aerospace and maritime defense.
“To compete globally, we must be strong at home…” General Glen D. VanHerck, said.
VanHerck’s statement is one of the primary components of NORAD’s mission. Conspiracy theorists claim that NORAD had enough time to prepare fighter jets to respond to the hijackings but was told to stand down. The reasoning for this remains unknown.
“If they had enough time to respond, why wouldn’t they? I mean, it’s like being offered an extra shift at work with time to make sure you can take it,” WSU student Clare Burgh, said.
Biden Administration investigation
On Sept. 3, 2021, President Biden launched a declassification of information collected by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) during the original 9/11 investigation.
“Nearly 1,800 people affected by the attacks issued a statement last month opposing Biden’s participation in any memorial events this year unless he released more documents, saying that as a candidate Biden pledged to be more transparent and accused his administration of having ignored their letters and requests,” NBC reporter Shannon Pettypiece, wrote.
No documents have been released publicly at the time of writing; however, there is potential for information to be released as soon as Sept. 11, 2021.
“I think the fact that Biden is diving deeper into this really shows that he values public input,” WSU alumni Julia Boyd, said.
9:37 a.m. — “Debunking 9/11 Conspiracy Theories” is dedicated in memoriam to the passengers of American Airlines 77 and those killed at the Pentagon in Arlington County, Va.
