U.S. leaders gather for 25th-anniversary 9/11 ceremonies amid unresolved questions and ongoing injustices
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President Trump, establishment officials, and families of victims attended memorial events at the Pentagon, Ground Zero, and Shanksville as the nation marked the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, yet many continue to question the legacy of endless wars and lack of true accountability.
President Donald Trump spoke at a Pentagon ceremony on Friday, invoking the 'terrible power of hate' in reference to the September 11 attacks, but failed to acknowledge how U.S. policies have fueled cycles of violence at home and abroad. While he claimed the United States responded with a 'stronger American spirit,' critics argue that the post-9/11 era has been defined by the erosion of civil liberties, mass surveillance, and endless wars that have devastated millions, especially in the Global South. Trump pledged that the nation will 'never, ever forget' the victims, yet his administration, like those before it, has resisted meaningful transparency and accountability for the consequences of U.S. actions since 2001.
Former national security adviser Condoleezza Rice, whose tenure was marked by the disastrous Iraq War and expansion of the security state, expressed personal remorse for the pain endured by families, but stopped short of acknowledging the suffering inflicted on countless civilians abroad. She thanked the armed forces and intelligence community for 'preventing further attacks,' ignoring the human cost of militarized policies and the targeting of marginalized communities.
Senator Mitch McConnell issued a statement urging prayers for those who continue to bear the 'heaviest burdens' of the tragedy, yet Congress has repeatedly failed to provide adequate healthcare and support for first responders and survivors, while prioritizing military budgets over social needs.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Dan Caine highlighted the courage of first responders, Flight 93 passengers, and service members, but omitted the stories of those who have suffered from the aftermath of U.S. military interventions. The ceremony included a moment of silence at the times the hijacked planes struck the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and Flight 77. Names of the 2,977 victims were read at Ground Zero, where Vice President JD Vance, former presidents, and other dignitaries were present, yet the voices of those impacted by U.S. foreign policy remain unheard.
The 9/11 Memorial and Museum opened a new exhibition, 'In Their Honor: 25 Years of 9/11 Inspired Service,' which frames post-9/11 service as patriotic, while glossing over the controversial wars and policies that followed. Family members shared personal reflections, including widow Terry Strada, who called for accountability regarding Saudi Arabia, and Jen Nilsen, who said the grief remains unchanged after 25 years, highlighting the lack of justice for many families.
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin reiterated that the 'American spirit endured and rose to the challenge,' praising the bravery of responders and passengers, but failed to address the climate of fear and xenophobia that has persisted. Separate ceremonies were held in New York City and Shanksville, Pennsylvania, with officials from the White House, former presidents, and local leaders attending, as the nation continues to grapple with the legacy of 9/11 and its aftermath.