Appeals court hears Saudi Arabia's bid to end 9/11 families' lawsuit; no ruling yet
A three-judge panel of the 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals heard Saudi Arabia's appeal of an August 2025 ruling that let the 9/11 families' lawsuit proceed. The judges did not signal how or when they will rule.
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The story, neutrally told
Mixed · 2On Wednesday 7 October 2026 a three-judge panel of the 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan heard arguments on whether claims against Saudi Arabia over the Sept. 11 attacks can go to trial. Hindustan TimesN “three judges heard arguments over whether legal claims against Saudi Arabia can proceed” Read at Hindustan Times ↗ New York PostR “Appeals court judges Guido Calabresi, William Nardini and Eunice Lee will hear from lawyers for both Saudi Arabia and the 9/11 victims' families.” Read at New York Post ↗ Mixed · 2Saudi Arabia is appealing an August 2025 ruling by US District Judge George Daniels, who found the families had presented "reasonable evidence" that the kingdom employed two men, Omar al-Bayoumi and Fahad al-Thumairy, to help two of the hijackers; the AP notes he did not rule on the merits of the claims. The IndependentLC “finding that the families had presented “reasonable evidence” that the kingdom employed two men” Read at The Independent ↗ Hindustan TimesN “though he did not rule on the merits of the claims.” Read at Hindustan Times ↗ Mixed · 2Saudi Arabia argues it is shielded by sovereign immunity and has long denied any involvement in the attacks, although 15 of the 19 hijackers were Saudi nationals. Hindustan TimesN “Although 15 of the 19 attackers on 9/11 were Saudis, the Saudi government has long denied any involvement in the attacks.” Read at Hindustan Times ↗ New York PostR “claim they’re protected from the lawsuit under foreign sovereign immunity” Read at New York Post ↗
Mixed · 2Saudi lawyer Gregory Rapawy told the court the kingdom "has never supported its enemy, Al Qaeda, against its ally, the United States," while Gavin Simpson, for the families, said Saudi Arabia had "failed" to show it should be removed from the case and cited the 2016 Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act. New York PostR ““The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has never supported its enemy, Al Qaeda, against its ally, the United States,” said Gregory Rapawy” Read at New York Post ↗ The IndependentLC “Simpson cited the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act, a 2016 law that narrowed foreign governments’ immunity” Read at The Independent ↗ Mixed · 2The AP reported that the judges questioned lawyers on both sides repeatedly and seemed unsure how they would respond to the immunity claim, and that many legal issues remain; they did not say when they would rule, and the New York Post reported a ruling is expected in the coming months. NBC NewsLC “lawyers from both sides were questioned repeatedly by the appeals judges who seemed unsure exactly how they would respond” Read at NBC News ↗ New York PostR “at some point in the coming months” Read at New York Post ↗ Mixed · 2More than 100 relatives attended. Terry Strada, whose husband Tom was killed, said the judges "hammered the Saudi attorneys" and "weren't buying what the Saudis were selling"; some plaintiffs applauded Simpson and Judge William Nardini asked them to stop. Hindustan TimesN ““The judges asked really meaningful questions and hammered the Saudi attorneys and didn’t let up.” Read at Hindustan Times ↗ New York PostR ““Please, this is not a moment for such things,” Nardini said” Read at New York Post ↗
Left · 1After the hearing, relatives including Aaron Sand urged President Donald Trump to do more, and Brett Eagleson urged the court to uphold the ruling so families could have "their day in court." The IndependentLC ““President Trump, I love ya, but you are not doing enough,” said Aaron Sand”“so the families who have waited a quarter of a century can finally have their day in court.” Read at The Independent ↗ Left · 1The suit, filed in 2004, alleges the hijackers received support from Saudi officials. Claims against the kingdom were dismissed in 2015 before an appeals court overturned that decision, and the 2021 FBI documents released on hijackers' Saudi contacts offered no evidence the kingdom was complicit. The IndependentLC “In 2015, claims against the kingdom were dismissed, but a federal appeals court later overturned that decision.”“though they offered no evidence the kingdom was complicit with the plot” Read at The Independent ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left2 outlets
- Framing
- Largely neutral reporting, via AP copy and an Independent write-up, centred on the families' pursuit of accountability, with historical context.
- Emphasis
- Families' frustration, legal background, Judge Daniels' ruling and the Saudi denial.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Less detail on the evidence about al-Bayoumi than the Post.
- For example
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“Family members of 9/11 victims filled a New York City courtroom Wednesday as they pushed forward in their long-running effort to hold Saudi Arabia accountable” — The Independent
“The judges revealed through their questions that there are still many legal issues to be decided” — NBC News
Centre1 outlet
- Framing
- AP wire copy focused on the judges' uncertainty and the absence of a ruling timetable.
- Emphasis
- Unresolved legal issues; Strada's upbeat reaction.
- Leaves out or plays down
- No named Saudi counsel or quotes from the Saudi side.
- For example
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“They didn’t say when they might rule on whether claims can proceed to trial” — Hindustan Times
Right1 outlet
- Framing
- Emotive, family-centred coverage portraying Saudi Arabia as dodging blame, with pointed details on al-Bayoumi.
- Emphasis
- Families' anger, pressure on Trump, allegations about al-Bayoumi.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not report the judges' apparent uncertainty about how to rule.
- Charged language
- “dodge civil trial”“The Kingdom continues to lie”“Outrageous”“chilling video”
- For example
-
“Families of 9/11 victims to pack NYC court as Saudi gov’t tries to dodge civil trial” — New York Post
“ripped Saudi Arabia’s bid to avoid blame for aiding the Al Qaeda hijackers as “outrageous.”” — New York Post
What every side reports
- The 2nd Circuit heard Saudi Arabia's appeal on 7 October 2026.
- Saudi Arabia denies involvement and claims sovereign immunity.
- Judge Daniels' August 2025 ruling let the case proceed.
- The judges did not say how they would rule.
Where accounts differ
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Whether Saudi Arabia aided the hijackers
- Left
- The Independent says the suit alleges support and Saudi Arabia has consistently denied it; notes the FBI offered no evidence of kingdom complicity.
- Centre
- AP (Hindustan Times) says families claim extremist religious leaders aided the hijackers; Saudi government denies involvement.
- Right
- New York Post quotes families saying the Kingdom 'continues to lie' and cites 'direct link' evidence, and describes al-Bayoumi as a 'suspected Saudi spy' (he denies it).
-
Saudi Arabia denies involvement in the 9/11 attacks and argues sovereign immunity shields it from the lawsuit.
Reported- Reports 4
- NBC News, The Independent, Hindustan Times, New York Post
-
In August 2025 Judge George Daniels ruled the families had presented reasonable evidence that Saudi Arabia ran a support network for hijackers, letting the case proceed.
Reported- Reports 3
- The Independent, Hindustan Times, New York Post
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The appeals judges gave no indication of how or when they will rule.
Supported- Supports 3
- NBC News, The Independent, Hindustan Times
- Reports 1
- New York Post
Saudi Arabia place
Denies any role in the attacks and, through counsel, argues sovereign immunity and that it never backed Al Qaeda against the US.
““The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has never supported its enemy, Al Qaeda, against its ally, the United States,” said Gregory Rapawy” — New York Post
September 11 attacks event
Families of victims of the attacks say evidence shows Saudi agents were involved and seek a trial.
““We’re hoping to finally see justice,” added Lisa Friedman” — New York Post
Left4 articles
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Federal appeals judges don't reveal how they'll rule on Saudi Arabia's effort to end 9/11 litigation
Neutral AP copy run by The Independent on the hearing and judges' uncertainty.
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9/11 victims’ families challenge Saudi Arabia in appeals court hearing
Neutral AP report under a families-focused headline.
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9/11 families flood New York court seeking justice over alleged Saudi plotters: ‘I’m still angry’
Sympathetic Sympathetic to families, with background on the case and Saudi denials.
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NBC NewsLC · · via AP
Federal appeals judges don’t reveal how they’ll rule on Saudi Arabia’s effort to end 9/11 litigation
Neutral AP wire copy carried by NBC News on the hearing and lack of a ruling.
Centre1 article
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Hindustan TimesN · · via AP
Federal appeals judges don't reveal how they'll rule on Saudi Arabia's effort to end 9/11 litigation
Neutral AP wire report emphasizing judges' non-committal questions.
Right2 articles
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Critical Preview piece casting Saudi Arabia as trying to evade trial, with strong family quotes.
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Critical Courtroom report stressing families' outrage and calls on Trump.
- 7 Oct 12:30 First New York PostR Families of 9/11 victims to pack NYC court as Saudi gov’t tries to dodge civil trial: ‘The Kingdom continues to lie’
- 7 Oct 20:21 +7h 51m New York PostR 9/11 families suing Saudi Arabia flood NYC courtroom as government tries to dodge blame: ‘Outrageous’
- 7 Oct 20:32 +8h 2m Hindustan TimesN Federal appeals judges don't reveal how they'll rule on Saudi Arabia's effort to end 9/11 litigation via AP
- 7 Oct 20:43 +8h 13m The IndependentLC Federal appeals judges don't reveal how they'll rule on Saudi Arabia's effort to end 9/11 litigation
- 7 Oct 21:28 +8h 59m The IndependentLC 9/11 victims’ families challenge Saudi Arabia in appeals court hearing
- 7 Oct 21:58 +9h 28m The IndependentLC 9/11 families flood New York court seeking justice over alleged Saudi plotters: ‘I’m still angry’
- 7 Oct 22:42 +10h 12m NBC NewsLC Federal appeals judges don’t reveal how they’ll rule on Saudi Arabia’s effort to end 9/11 litigation via AP
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.