Federal appeals judges don’t reveal how they’ll rule on Saudi Arabia’s effort to end 9/11 litigation

On Wednesday, a panel of three judges at the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan heard arguments regarding Saudi Arabia's attempt to dismiss a long-running lawsuit related to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is appealing a 2025 lower court ruling that allowed the litigation to proceed, arguing it should be immune from trial under the principle of sovereign immunity. The lawsuit, filed by victims' families, survivors, and insurers, alleges that Saudi government agents and extremist religious leaders provided support to the hijackers. While the judges asked pointed questions to both sides, they did not indicate how or when they would rule.

On Wednesday, a panel of three judges at the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan heard arguments regarding Saudi Arabia's attempt to dismiss a long-running lawsuit related to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is appealing a 2025 lower court ruling that allowed the litigation to proceed, arguing it should be immune from trial under the principle of sovereign immunity. The lawsuit, filed by victims' families, survivors, and insurers, alleges that Saudi government agents and extremist religious leaders provided support to the hijackers. While the judges asked pointed questions to both sides, they did not indicate how or when they would rule.