Biden, Harris, and Trump Visit September 11 Sites to Commemorate 2001 Attacks

By Andrea Shalal and Nandita Bose

In a rare joint appearance, President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and former President Donald Trump gathered in New York City on Wednesday to commemorate the 23rd anniversary of the September 11 attacks, which claimed nearly 3,000 lives in 2001.

Despite their contentious debate the night before, Harris and Trump shook hands and exchanged a few words before participating in the remembrance event at the memorial site where the World Trade Center’s twin towers once stood. Trump’s running mate, Senator JD Vance, was also present.

The ceremony was marked by a solemn reading of names by family members remembering their loved ones who perished that day. There were no formal speeches at the "ground zero" location, but the atmosphere was filled with emotion as names were read aloud, honoring those lost during the attacks orchestrated by al Qaeda militants who targeted the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, with a fourth plane crashing in Pennsylvania due to brave passengers taking action against the hijackers.

As a young boy shared a heartfelt message about his grandfather, a bagpipe and drum procession accompanied representatives from New York’s fire and police departments as well as honor guards from the Port Authority. The national anthem was sung, and moments of silence were observed at the times when each target was struck.

Following the New York ceremony, Biden and Harris traveled to Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where United Flight 93 crashed as passengers fought back against the hijackers. At the site, Biden laid a hand on a wreath to honor the 40 victims of the flight. He and Harris met with Calvin Wilson, the brother-in-law of the flight’s co-pilot, LeRoy Homer Jr.

During their visit to the Shanksville Volunteer Fire Department, Biden took time to reflect on another memorial nearby that featured 40 flags flapping in the breeze. There, he emphasized the need for unity across party lines and exchanged hats with a Trump supporter, which became a widely circulated photograph on social media.

The president and vice president then proceeded to the Pentagon, where they laid a wreath decorated in red, white, and blue. They paused in silence before the wreath as "Taps" was played, honoring those lost in the attack on the headquarters of the U.S. Department of Defense.

In a statement, Biden remarked on the resilience of the American spirit in the face of terror: "On this day 23 years ago, terrorists believed they could break our will and bring us to our knees. They were wrong. They will always be wrong. In the darkest of hours, we found light. And in the face of fear, we came together – to defend our country, and to help one another."

Trump, who also visited the memorial in Pennsylvania, described the day as "very, very sad," reflecting on its historical significance.

Earlier, Biden issued a proclamation honoring those who died in the attacks and the countless Americans who enlisted in military service as a result of the tragedy. He acknowledged the debt of gratitude owed to the "9/11 Generation" for their sacrifices in Afghanistan, Iraq, and other conflict areas, as well as mentioning the eventual capture and death of Osama bin Laden, the orchestrator of the attacks.