How US leaders remembered the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks

What the report says

A quarter-century after the September 11 attacks, US officials marked the anniversary with memorials, speeches and social media posts across Washington and New York. The Al Jazeera report says the commemorations honored the 2,977 people killed, along with first responders and others involved in rescue efforts. The attacks, carried out by hijackers on four planes, remain the deadliest “terrorist” attack in US history.

At the Pentagon ceremony in Arlington, Virginia, President Donald Trump described the attacks as “true evil” and said the country would remember the victims and protect future generations. He also tied his remarks to current US conflict with Iran, framing it as part of a wider fight against terrorism. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made similar comments, warning of continuing threats and also using the moment to criticize Iran and praise US military actions.

In New York, Mayor Zohran Mamdani attended the World Trade Center memorial service alongside former mayor Rudy Giuliani, who led the city during the attacks. Mamdani did not speak at the ceremony, but later posted a message urging New Yorkers to honor the dead through care for others and public service. The report notes that Mamdani had faced criticism from some conservatives and victims’ relatives over his attendance.

The article also highlights Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, who used social media to condemn the attacks as a cruel act of terror and call for a more inclusive and just America. His message came amid attacks from Republican opponent Mike Rogers, who has tried to cast El-Sayed’s past comments on 9/11 as sympathetic to terrorism.