911 Helped Pentagon Avoid the Investigation

Introduction

The claim that "911 helped Pentagon avoid the investigation" suggests that the events surrounding the September 11 attacks allowed the Pentagon to evade scrutiny or accountability for certain actions. This assertion raises questions about the nature of investigations conducted post-9/11, particularly regarding the Pentagon's role and the broader implications of the attacks on governmental oversight.

What We Know

1. The 9/11 Attacks: On September 11, 2001, a coordinated terrorist attack by al-Qaeda resulted in the hijacking of four commercial airplanes, two of which were flown into the World Trade Center towers, one into the Pentagon, and the fourth, United Airlines Flight 93, crashed in Pennsylvania after passengers attempted to regain control. The Pentagon was struck at 9:37 AM, resulting in the deaths of 125 individuals in the building and 59 passengers on the plane [2][8].

2. FBI Investigation: The FBI initiated a massive investigation, code-named "PENTTBOM," which stands for "Pentagon/Twin Towers Bombing." This investigation became the largest in FBI history, involving thousands of agents and professionals [[1]](https://www.fbi.gov/history/famous-cases/911-investigation)[[10]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PENTTBOM). The investigation aimed to uncover the details of the attacks and the individuals responsible.

3. The 9/11 Commission: Established in late 2002, the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (commonly known as the 9/11 Commission) was tasked with providing a full and complete account of the circumstances surrounding the attacks. The Commission's report, released in 2004, detailed failures in intelligence and security but did not specifically conclude that the Pentagon avoided investigation [[4]](https://www.9-11commission.gov/report/911Report.pdf).

4. Public Perception and Conspiracy Theories: Various conspiracy theories have emerged regarding the events of 9/11, including claims about the Pentagon's actions and the nature of the attacks. Some of these theories suggest that the Pentagon's involvement in military operations or financial discrepancies were obscured by the chaos of the attacks [[5]](https://www.reuters.com/fact-check/rumsfeld-did-not-reveal-loss-23-trillion-day-before-911-2023-09-14/)[[9]](https://apnews.com/article/archive-fact-checking-7351850041).

Analysis

The claim that the Pentagon avoided investigation due to the 9/11 attacks requires careful scrutiny of the available evidence and the credibility of sources discussing this issue.

• Source Reliability: The FBI and the 9/11 Commission are primary sources of information regarding the investigations into the attacks. Their reports are based on extensive research and testimonies, making them reliable for understanding the official narrative [1][4]. However, these sources may also be viewed as having institutional biases, as they represent government perspectives.

• Conspiracy Theories: Many claims surrounding the Pentagon and 9/11 stem from conspiracy theories that often lack substantiated evidence. For instance, claims about missing funds or lack of debris from the crash have been debunked by reputable fact-checking organizations [5][6][7]. Such theories often exploit public distrust in government and can lead to misinterpretations of events.

• Methodology of Investigations: The investigations conducted by the FBI and the 9/11 Commission were extensive, but critics argue that they may not have fully addressed all aspects of the Pentagon's operations or financial accountability. The complexity of the events and the subsequent investigations could lead to perceptions of avoidance or lack of transparency.

• Contextual Factors: The aftermath of 9/11 saw a significant shift in U.S. military and intelligence operations, which some argue may have overshadowed specific investigations into the Pentagon. The urgency of national security concerns often takes precedence, potentially leading to overlooked details in investigations.

Conclusion

Verdict: Unverified

The claim that "911 helped Pentagon avoid the investigation" remains unverified due to a lack of concrete evidence supporting the assertion. While extensive investigations were conducted by the FBI and the 9/11 Commission, there is no definitive conclusion indicating that the Pentagon evaded scrutiny as a direct result of the attacks. The available evidence primarily consists of official reports that do not substantiate the claim, alongside a proliferation of conspiracy theories that often lack credible backing.

It is important to recognize that the complexity of the events surrounding 9/11 and the subsequent investigations may contribute to perceptions of avoidance or lack of transparency. Furthermore, the institutional biases of the sources involved in the investigations could influence interpretations of the findings.

Readers should be aware of the limitations in the available evidence and the potential for misinformation stemming from conspiracy theories. Critical evaluation of information is essential to navigate the complexities of such significant historical events.

Sources

1. FBI. "9/11 Investigation — FBI." FBI
2. Defense.gov. "The National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial." Defense.gov
3. FBI. "Investigation of United Flight 93." FBI
4. National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States. "The 9/11 Commission Report." 9-11 Commission
5. Reuters. "Fact Check: Rumsfeld did not reveal the loss of $2.3 trillion day ...". Reuters
6. AP News. "9/11 news footage on Pentagon attack deceptively edited." AP News
7. AP News. "Posts falsely claim no airplane debris found at Pentagon on 9/11." AP News
8. Wikipedia. "American Airlines Flight 77." Wikipedia
9. AP News. "Video does not show missile hitting the Pentagon on 9/11." AP News
10. Wikipedia. "PENTTBOM." Wikipedia