Fact Check: "911 helped Pentagon avoid the investigation"
What We Know
The claim that "911 helped Pentagon avoid the investigation" suggests that the events of September 11, 2001, somehow obstructed or prevented a thorough investigation into the Pentagon's actions or failures leading up to the attacks. However, extensive investigations were conducted following the attacks, including the FBI's largest case ever, known as "PENTTBOM," which focused on the attacks on the Pentagon, the World Trade Center, and Flight 93 (FBI).
The 9/11 Commission Report, published in 2004, provides a comprehensive account of the events leading up to and during the attacks, including the Pentagon's response (9/11 Commission Report). The report examined failures in intelligence and communication, and it made numerous recommendations to improve national security and emergency response protocols.
Furthermore, the Pentagon Memorial was established to honor the 184 individuals who lost their lives in the attack on the Pentagon, which underscores the significance of the event and the commitment to remembrance and accountability (National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial).
Analysis
The claim lacks credible evidence and misrepresents the extensive investigations that took place after the attacks. The assertion that the attacks somehow shielded the Pentagon from scrutiny is contradicted by the findings of the 9/11 Commission, which explicitly addressed failures and lapses in security and intelligence that contributed to the attacks. The Commission's work was thorough and included testimony from numerous officials, including military and intelligence personnel.
Moreover, the claim appears to be rooted in conspiracy theories that have circulated since the attacks, which often misinterpret or distort facts to suggest that the U.S. government was complicit in the events of 9/11 (9/11 conspiracy theories). These theories have been widely debunked by credible sources, including the Associated Press, which clarified that videos circulating online claiming to show a missile hitting the Pentagon are false; the footage actually depicts American Airlines Flight 77 crashing into the building (AP News).
The reliability of the sources that support the claim is questionable, as they often stem from conspiracy-oriented narratives rather than established facts. In contrast, the investigations by the FBI and the findings of the 9/11 Commission are well-documented and supported by a wide array of evidence.
Conclusion
The claim that "911 helped Pentagon avoid the investigation" is False. Extensive investigations were conducted following the attacks, and the Pentagon was not shielded from scrutiny. The 9/11 Commission Report and the FBI's investigations highlighted numerous failures and made recommendations for improvement, demonstrating a commitment to accountability rather than avoidance.
