9/11 families angered by Justice Dept. brief supporting Saudi royal family in attack lawsuit

9/11 families angered by US support for Saudis

NEW YORK — Relatives of Sept. 11 victims say they’re angry that the Justice Department is supporting the Saudi royal family’s bid to be removed from a 9/11 lawsuit.

The families of some victims have accused the royal family of financially backing terrorist groups that carried out the 2001 attacks.

The Justice Department filed a brief with the U.S. Supreme Court on Friday. It supports the Saudis’ argument that the royal family as a sovereign state cannot be sued in a U.S. court.

Bill Doyle’s son was killed at the World Trade Center. He says the Obama administration’s court filing undermines the nation’s fight against terrorism.

Several lower courts have dismissed the lawsuit. The Supreme Court has not decided whether to hear the case.