1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

After more than two decades, a federal judge has finally ruled that a civil lawsuit against Saudi Arabia for its role in the 9/11 attacks can go to trial. This is a breakthrough, but it is not enough. I want you to push for a full congressional investigation into Saudi Arabia's ties to the hijackers and demand the release of any remaining classified documents related to the plot. The evidence is damning. Declassified FBI documents confirm that Omar al-Bayoumi, who helped the first two hijackers find housing, open a bank account, and integrate into San Diego, was a part-time agent of Saudi intelligence. A second Saudi official, Fahad al-Thumairy, served simultaneously as a diplomat and an imam at a Saudi-funded mosque. Judge George B. Daniels found the plaintiffs' evidence showed "a high probability" of both men's roles in the hijackers' plans, and that Bayoumi "actively injected himself" into their activities. The 2,977 people killed on September 11 deserve accountability, not diplomatic cover. Saudi Arabia has long hidden behind sovereign immunity while families fought for the truth with, as their spokesperson Brett Eagleson put it, "their hands tied behind their backs." Congress must act now to ensure this trial proceeds without interference and that no future administration can invoke state secrets to shield a foreign government from justice.