A quarter-century after the attacks on September 11, 2001, officials across the United States have taken part in tributes and memorials to honour the 2,977 victims and those who risked their lives as part of the rescue efforts. The incident is considered the deadliest “terrorist” attack in US history. Four planes were hijacked.
Two crashed into the World Trade Center, causing its Twin Towers to collapse. A third struck the Pentagon outside Washington, DC. And the fourth plummeted into a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, after passengers and crew rose against their attackers.
Through social media messages, public speeches and appearances at ceremonies, US leaders on Friday took different approaches to remembering the lives of the thousands who perished on the fateful day. US President Donald Trump chose to stay in Washington, DC, to observe the 25th anniversary. During the attacks, 184 people died near the capital when American Airlines Flight 77 struck the Pentagon, the headquarters of the US military.
Trump opted not to attend a Friday ceremony at the World Trade Center site in New York, where all his living presidential predecessors were in attendance. His vice president, JD Vance, travelled to New York instead. The ceremony at the World Trade Center has a policy of not allowing political speeches.
In his remarks at the Pentagon, Trump described what happened as “true evil”. He also paid tribute to those who died in the attacks. The president also praised US troops as he appeared to link the 9/11 attacks with his administration’s war against Iran.
That’s why we fight today. There can only be victory,” Trump said. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also spoke at the Pentagon, delivering his remarks shortly before Trump’s.
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